KEEP YOURSELF FROM GETTING LOCKED OUT…AGAIN!

It happens to everybody some time. We always remember our keys when we walk out the door…until that one time…when we forget! Oh no! You’re locked out! It’s so inconvenient and it’s always unnerving, particularly after sundown. But there’s no reason you should ever find yourself locked out again, if you put all these strategies in place. Keep the following principles in the back of your mind, and put them into daily practice, and you’ll never be locked out again:

Always know where your keys are. If you ever walk out and realize you’ve forgotten something, and you need to run back inside to get it, remember, don’t put your keys down! Don’t leave them on the kitchen counter! Just keep your keys in your hand, or make sure they stay in your pocket. And, if you lend a spare key to someone temporarily, always get it back as soon as possible. If you retrieve your key from a hiding place, return it immediately.

Store your extra key in a logical hiding place. Keeping a key over the door frame, under the welcome mat, or under your flower pot is a very bad idea. Every thief knows to look in these locations first. Even the fake-rock keyholders are basically pointless, unless you’re extremely good at hiding it. The best thing to do is to give a spare key to a trusted neighbor who will help you in case of an emergency. Ideally, it’s better to choose someone who will be at home most of the time.

Phone, keys, and wallet. This has to be your standard mantra from now on, every time you walk out the door. Make it your daily routine. Stop. Remind yourself: Phone, keys, and wallet. You can add the pat-down, check your pockets, check your purse or pack. (As soon as you get in this habit, you may be adding a few other items to your list, such as: sunglasses, driving glasses, reading glasses, etc. Make it fun!)

Replace any bad locks. Keep an eye on your locks, and upgrade them if necessary. If you have any locks that are difficult to open, the key may break inside the lock mechanism, preventing you from getting in. Be sure not to duplicate any keys that are already duplicates, because they eventually won’t work at all. If you have any locks that are too worn out, they can get jammed.

Are you more adventurous? Keep a fake credit card. Don’t use a real one, because it will get totally ruined. Keep one of your expired gift cards, or one of those sample ones from a piece of junk mail. It’s not as easy as it looks in the movies, but it just might work ~ if you don’t have a deadbolt. You have to have a bored door lock, with the sloped ridge of the bolt facing towards you. (If the door opens towards you, then the bolt’s likely facing in the wrong direction.) If the bolt is the correct type, and facing the right way, then it’s worth a try. Place the card in the gap between the door and the jamb above the bolt. Gently slide the card down between the bolt and the strike plate. Push the card, then push the door, and, if you’re lucky, the door will open. You’ll leave everything (except the card, of course) undamaged.

If you’re ambitious, carry a pick set with you. You can do so only if your local and state laws allow it. Not every lock is pickable, but it’s always worth a shot. Then you’re sure to be able to get back in. Besides, you may some day be able to help a friend in need.

Find a reputable locksmith before you get into trouble. The right way to find a legitimate locksmith is to locate one ahead of time, before you actually need one. It’s important to do your research, so you won’t get scammed or overcharged.

Ask friends, family, and colleagues for their recommendations. The best way to find the right locksmith is through word of mouth from satisfied customers. If no one knows a good locksmith, then you’ll have to do your homework.

Find a local, dependable locksmith. Write down all the potential locksmith companies in your area, with addresses and phone numbers. Find locksmiths who specialize in the services you need. Check for the business addresses, and match up phone numbers with addresses using the Internet. Sometimes a dishonest company will list a fake address, or none at all, claiming to be local when it’s really not. If someone answers the phone with a general greeting such as “locksmith services,” rather than saying the company name, ask for the legal business name. If the person refuses to tell you, go on to the next one. Keep in mind that some good locksmith companies simply may not include their street address on their listing because they have a mobile business, so they can dispatch a professional locksmith who’s local to you. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask why an address isn’t listed, so you know for sure.

Be cautious of any locksmith claiming that you’re going to have to replace or drill your lock. A legitimate locksmith will bring the proper tools, and will possess the experience to know that such drastic moves aren’t necessary. A genuine professional locksmith is able to unlock almost anything.

Check the locksmith’s qualifications and credentials. When a locksmith arrives, ask for identification, proof of license, and a business card. The invoice you get ought to include the company name. The truck should also have the company name on it, matching the business card and invoice. The locksmith must also request to see your identification. Prior to starting any work, a legitimate locksmith must absolutely verify your identity to show that you’re the rightful property owner.

When you’ve found a reliable premium locksmith, keep the contact information in a logical place, such as your smart phone, your wallet, or your refrigerator ~ so you can always quickly get yourself out of a jam anytime problems with locks and keys should come up. The best locksmiths will be glad to answer all your questions. If you’re stranded anywhere in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, you may want to choose Locksmith Master Milwaukee. Their staff mobile expert locksmith technicians provide emergency, residential, automotive, and commercial locksmith services.

Are you already locked out now? If you don’t have a hidden spare key or friend to call, look around, because there might still be a door or window open. Who knows, maybe you didn’t lock the door properly in the first place.

If all else fails, it’s definitely time to hire a locksmith. It’s certainly tempting to entertain the idea of breaking a window or kicking in the door. But should you really risk being mistaken for a burglar? Surely not. To avoid this lousy situation, you must plan ahead!

Aricle source here: KEEP YOURSELF FROM GETTING LOCKED OUT…AGAIN!

Locksmith Master Milwaukee: What To Do With A Jammed Safe

A safe that you can’t open isn’t exactly useful. It might be doing its job of keeping your items protected, but if you can’t get into it, it is nothing short of stressful. This is especially true if you urgently need to get into your safe, for instance, if you are trying to drop off a deposit at work. So what are you supposed to do if your safe is locked and you are unable to get in? What are you supposed to do if your safe is jammed? Whether you use your safe to hold money, valuable items or a weapon, it is important that you take the right steps if it becomes jammed. You don’t want to cause any costly damage when the solution is actually quite simple. Have a look at some of the tips provided by Locksmith Master Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI. This information is applicable to anyone, anywhere. Of course, you can always get in touch with an experienced locksmith if this seems to be the safer route for you.

Maybe you were in the middle of a move and you stuffed your gun safe with newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent the gun or weapon from shifting too much while en route. The problem is that now when you attempt to insert your key to open the safe, it doesn’t budge. What you don’t want to do is start wiggling or shaking the safe around out of anger. It might be jammed because of too much pressure on the inside and you don’t want to break the items inside of it or cause any further damage.

Perhaps you work in a store in which money is stored in a safe and then deposited at night or first thing in the morning. Locksmiths often get phone calls from business owners or managers who are unable to open their safe. One thing to avoid is taking a hammer to the safe to try to break it open. These things cost money after all!

So what are you supposed to do if you find yourself dealing with a jammed safe or any of the aforementioned scenarios? Here are a few things to try…

1. First and foremost, check the battery. A dead battery will mean that your keypad isn’t working because it isn’t providing the right signal to unlock the safe. There might be enough power to operate the keypad but this doesn’t mean that there is enough power to open it. This can be confusing, but it is often times the case. Make sure that if you purchase a battery, you buy the brand name counterpart, because if you buy a different brand, it might work but it will very likely drain faster. Often times, people buy something that wasn’t made for their brand in an effort to save money. However, they later regret it because the battery doesn’t last as long.
2. If the bolt work is jammed, you might be able to hear that the motor is trying to do its job. You could try applying pressure by pressing on the door, just make sure to avoid hitting the keypad. If there is pressure on the bolt, you could try turning the handle in the opposite direction that you would typically turn it in while entering the code, which will lessen some of the pressure that is on the bolt.
3. If the safe has gone into lockout mode because the wrong code was put in too many times, then you might just have to wait a certain amount of time before you are able to open it again.
4. If the problem is disconnected wiring, try disconnecting the wire from the keypad, and then take out the batteries. Wait a few seconds, then put the batteries back in and reconnect the wiring. That is if you know what you are doing. When you take off the keypad you should be able to see if the wires are loose or cut at all.

These are just some of the steps to take if you are dealing with a safe that is jammed or otherwise will not open. If you happen to be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin then you can call in the best locksmith in town. Locksmith Master Milwaukee has helped to unlock many safes before, but you can surely contact the local lock and security provider in your area to obtain similar assistance. Make sure to call a person who is licensed and insured so that you can trust no damage will be done to your safe. After all, some safes are incredibly expensive, and you want to keep yours in good shape. Whether you have a drop safe or deposit safe (these are popular in shops and restaurants), a fire rated safe (these are common in both homes and offices) or an office safe (these can be freestanding or bolted down to the floor, and are often times drop-tested) or any other kind of safe such as an in floor safe or high security safe, you should know that it can eventually become jammed. It could eventually end up needing a combination change, or the help of a locksmith to unlock it. Be sure to try out the steps listed to see if they help you out. This could save you a little bit of money and sometimes the solution is easier than it appears to be. But don’t take any chances and cause damage to your expensive device. Some safes are drop-tested, so no amount of kicking at it or throwing it is going to help to unlock it. They are meant to protect your items after all.

Call a locksmith in Milwaukee, WI if your safe is jammed and you are unable to open it. Don’t get too frustrated and try to break it because you will probably regret it later.

Aricle source here: Locksmith Master Milwaukee: What To Do With A Jammed Safe

Automotive Locksmith Tips

One of the services that are requested most often from the locksmiths of Locksmith Master Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI is automotive lockout assistance. This can be one of the most frustrating experiences that a motorist can have. Here you are with a clear direction of where you will be at any given time. You get to your car and you can’t find your key. Now this is weighing on you heavy because you are trying to remember where you last had them, if they could have fallen out of your jacket, if you left them laying on a counter or if someone turned them into lost and found. It is understandable why this situation is so frustrating.  We have come up with some practical ways to avoid losing your keys and what to do when you can’t find them.

Always Have a Spare Key

This is the most logical thing to do but not every motorist has taken this advice to heart. If you don’t want to have to call on the services of a locksmith or wait for someone to come to your rescue, make sure you keep a spare key on you. Don’t put the spare key on the same keychain as your car key because if you lose your car key, you will lose the spare too. You can also use a lock box, which you install under your undercarriage, to hold your spare key.

If you do not have a spare key, don’t panic, call a mobile locksmith who can come to where you are and make a new key for you in under 30 minutes.

Tag Your Keys

We understand that this may sound childish, but it is so helpful in the event that you lose your key. When lost or misplaced, your key can be returned to you. The tag shouldn’t include personal information, such as your address but should including your name and number or name and email address on the tag. That way someone has a way to contact you and return your keys to you. Most people are honest enough to do this especially if they see that you’ve taken the time to ensure your keys are returned to you. This is worth looking a little childish for.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT put anymore personal information than your name and number or name and email address. With too much information, a car thief might be able to find your car. Refrain from providing too much personal information. If you really want to make sure you get your car back, it is also important to notify the police.

Always Check for Keys

If you do something every time you exit your car to remind you to grab your keys, you are less likely going to leave them in the ignition. It is so easy to forget to grab our keys out of the ignition when we have things weighing heavy on our minds. Perhaps you can take the keys in your hand and simply toss them up one time before placing them in your bag or pockets. Remember to look down at the keys in your hand before getting out of the car. If you make this a part of your routine, you may be less likely to lock the keys in the car. When you do this every time you get out the car or something else to remind you to grab your keys, it will feel odd when you do not do it. Do whatever works for you so that you can remember to do it whenever you exit your car.

Finding Lost Keys

Again, no matter how logical our suggestions appear to be, you’ll be surprised to learn just how many people do not do these simple things. The first thing to do is retrace your steps. You can even take a minute to write down every place you were before heading to your car. Many people are surprised to find their keys right where they left them, the last place they were prior to arriving back at their car. Perhaps you had to put your keys down to sign something and forgot to pick them back up again. Maybe you were taking things out of your purse to find something and your keys were one of those things you took out and didn’t make it back into your purse again. It happens! If you’ve lost your keys inside your home somewhere, the same thing applies, retrace your steps. Motorists have found their keys in the strangest places, like their freezer or in the oven. It sounds funny but it is far from funny when you are in a hurry and can’t find your car keys. If you simply cannot find your key, don’t frustrate yourself too much, just call on a local Milwaukee locksmith to have another one made, this time, don’t forget to have them make a spare key.

The problem with people being locked out of their cars occurs most often during the holiday season. There is a definite increase in business during this time of year for most locksmith services. When you are out and about, especially during this time of the year, you may want to revisit this list to familiarize yourself with some of the steps that you should take when you are locked out of your car. You could save yourself a lot of frustration. Regardless of when you lock yourself out, you are generally able to receive the help you need from a 24-hour emergency locksmith service in Milwaukee. It is a common occurrence for people to lock themselves out of their car and that is why it is always possible to get the help you need from a professional locksmith service.  You are sure to enjoy the holiday season a lot more if you can do so without incident. Think ahead to how you will respond if you should happen to lock yourself out of your car.

Aricle source here: Automotive Locksmith Tips