parking lot

Lost Keys in Parking Lot? 3 Ways to Keep Calm

With the holidays now past us, you’re probably tired of seeing parking lots and running around to stores doing last minute gift buying. Maybe you were able to navigate this last season with success, maybe you’re still traveling around making returns on those items you were gifted and don’t like. Or, maybe you experienced the terror of lost keys this last season.

Not only is it frustrating and scary to realize you’ve lost your car keys but add a big, dark parking lot to the mix and it can feel like a scene right out of a scary movie.

If you’ve lost your keys in a parking lot here are 3 tips to keep you calm.

Backtrack

The first thing you want to do is start backtracking. Think about the last time you recall seeing or holding your keys. Were you at a particular store? Did you put them down when you grabbed your sales receipt? Start walking back the same way you went earlier and see if they may have fallen to the ground mistakenly or are still where you ended up leaving them.

Check Lost & Found

Even if you come up with nothing after backtracking, that doesn’t mean that someone else didn’t stumble upon your keys and did the right thing by handing them over to lost and found. If you were at a shopping mall, be sure to check with lost and found and customer service desks to see if anyone has turned in your keys before you start to worry about next steps.

Contact a Locksmith

If your attempts to locate your keys have come up empty handed and if it’s late with no one around, then you need to call a professional locksmith. Those that offer emergency services will come out to you and assist you with gaining access to your vehicle. Be sure to check reviews and choose a trusted company to avoid scams and overpaying for locksmith services.

All American Locksmiths provides emergency lockout services, new locks, and more throughout Connecticut & Westchester County. We’ve been serving Connecticut and New York homeowners for many years. That means we know these states; we’ve driven up and down both I-95, I-91, and Route 8 numerous times. We’ve gone from Armonk to North Haven multiple times in 1 day, and guess what? We love it! Why? Because we love what we do. We take great pride in helping our neighbors get back into their cars. That’s right: It doesn’t matter if you’re near the New Haven Green in New Haven, the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, or the Bush-Holley House in Greenwich–if you need us, we’ll be there to help you day, night, rain or shine.  

keys lock door

What Can a Locksmith Do for You?

Locksmiths have gotten a bad rap as an industry but even with scammers and unprofessional companies out there creating issues for the industry, the fact of the matter is that working with a trusted and reliable locksmith is important in emergency situations when you’ve lost access to your home, vehicle or office building. And while they can’t magically make your keys reappear or undo what’s already happened there are many things they can do to help ease your fears and bring back a sense of security.

Here are just some of the most important things a locksmith can do for you.

Re-Key Your Locks

Losing keys is a common occurrence. It takes only putting your keys down somewhere and leaving preoccupied or in a rush and forgetting to grab them for the panic to start. In some cases, keys can also be stolen from a gym locker, off a key hook, or a bar by would-be criminals hoping to gain access to your valuables. In other situations, the keys are somewhere in the house (did you check the couch pillows?) and you simply cannot locate them. In all of these cases, when your keys cannot be found and you want to regain your sense of security knowing no one else will have access to your belongings, a locksmith can help. By re-keying your locks they’ll be replacing the inner parts of the lock so that the old key becomes useless and you’ll have a new, different key to use.

Fix What’s Broken

Even if you’re meticulous about keeping your keys in a safe place, you could still be in need of a locksmith at some point in life. For example, if your front door has been opened and closed every day for the larger part of a few decades, chances are the wear and tear will eventually take a toll on how the lock and key function. Everything from a door that sticks, to one that won’t stay shut and even instances where a key will break right inside of the knob is nothing new to an experienced locksmith. Using their expertise, they’ll assess the state of the door and the lock and either fix or replace it so you won’t have to worry about your security for another second.

Meet You Anytime, Any Place

Perhaps one of the best things about a professional locksmith is that most of them work around the clock and can come to you in an emergency, even it means late nights and or coming to you while stranded in a parking lot. This reassuring benefit of a locksmith makes it critical to have a company you trust on call whenever you need them. Take some time prior to an emergency if you can to establish a relationship with a credible locksmith in your area or be sure to read online reviews from others and look for a seal of approval on their site like the BBB, before you hire them in an emergency.

All American Locksmiths is a local, trusted locksmith serving Connecticut is Westchester, NY. We care about every job and offer you reliable, fast and professional services that help ensure your safety and security.

home burglar

Did Someone Break Into Your House? Here’s How to Bounce Back

If someone just broke into your home, then you’re probably dealing with a whirl of different emotions. It’s normal to feel confused, sad, or angry. After all, someone just made your home feel unsafe.

Don’t Blame Yourself

Before you do anything, remember that it’s not your fault. It’s also not your spouse’s fault, your son’s fault, your father’s fault, or your friend’s fault. There’s only one person to blame: the intruder. Life is full of ups and downs, and when you experience a low like this, it is possible to recover stronger than ever before. Once you’ve accepted this, it’s time to pick up the pieces and take steps to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.

Don’t Touch Anything—Call The Police First

While it can be tempting to start cleaning up, it’s best to call the authorities first. Before they arrive, scan your home for any missing items, and record what you find (or don’t find) on an itemized list. Once you’ve noted what items are missing, write down everything as you remember it:

  • Were you home when the incident occurred?
  • If not, what time did you arrive?
  • Retrace your steps from the day/night before
  • Can you identify the break-in point?

Recording this information will help you get your bearings straight, and it will help the police understand the situation better. All of these items will be placed on a police report, so it’s important to be as detailed as possible. If you do discover that specific valuables are missing from your home, including their approximate value on your itemized list.

Call Your Insurance Company

After the police report has been properly documented, file a claim with your insurance company. Regardless of whether you have homeowners or renters insurance, your policy should offer at least some kind of reimbursement for items that were stolen; however, before your insurance company can release funds to you, they must first send an adjuster to perform their own inspection. Even with the police report at your disposal, the insurance adjuster must still determine if the recorded information is accurate.

If your insurance company does send an adjuster to assess the situation, they may ask that you refrain from touching anything until their investigation is complete. Depending on your policy coverages, you may have the option of staying in a hotel for the duration of their visit. This benefit varies by carrier and plan, so be sure to ask your insurance company if this is an available option for you.

3 Ways To Keep Robbers Out

Once you’ve documented everything, filed an insurance claim, and cleaned up any damages, it’s important to improve your home’s security. To make your home safer, follow these tips.

  1. Install Deadbolt Locks

    Deadbolt locks are thicker and tougher than a traditional latch; therefore, deadbolts are harder for a burglar to pick, and would be a viable solution. If you’re in need of an emergency locksmith, then give us a call. All American locksmiths will help you choose and install the locks that fit your needs.

  1.  Security Cameras, Automated Lights, & Beware of Dog Signs

    Most people know how effective security alarm systems can be. If a full-service security system does not work with your current budget, then you should still install a security camera. These can be relatively inexpensive and can be placed in a high position. The sight of a security camera can help scare away would-be intruders.

    Automated lights can also help to deter robbers. Most break-ins occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Why? Because intruders assume that most people are at work during that time, which is probably accurate. Automated lights help to create the illusion that you are home.

    Even if you don’t have a dog, many burglars will think twice about breaking in if they see a “beware of dog” sign.

  1. Be Vigilant

    Even though most break-ins do happen during normal business hours, attempts are still made at night, or in the wee hours of the morning. If you do hear sounds of an intruder, then call the police as quickly and quietly as possible. Many robbers are cowards. While we do not advise confronting them yourself, it is a good idea to keep a baseball bat in your bedroom just in case you do need to defend yourself.

    Television actor William Daniels, best known for his roles in “Boy Meets World,” “St. Elsewhere” and “Knight Rider,” recently foiled an attempted burglary at his Los Angeles home. The 91-year old scared the intruder away when he turned the kitchen light on. Daniels proves that vigilance definitely pays off!