For facility and maintenance professionals, as well as businesses managing fleet vehicles, maintaining smooth operations is paramount. However, there’s one challenge that can throw a wrench in your plans – locking keys in vehicles. At The Security Professionals, we understand the impact of this common issue on your daily tasks. In this blog, we tap into an interview with our CEO, Tom Williams, who shares invaluable tips, dispels misconceptions, and provides expert insights on what you should and shouldn’t do if you find yourself in this frustrating, locked out situation.
Interview with CEO Tom Williams
The internet is flooded with advice on retrieving keys from locked cars, but Tom Williams brings a critical perspective to the forefront:
Tom: Amid the sea of online suggestions, it’s crucial to recognize that not all vehicles are created equal. Each has distinct entry points and mechanisms, which means a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t exist.
Fact vs. Fiction: Unconventional Methods and Consequences
As specialists in unlocking car doors, we’ve encountered a gamut of unconventional tools people have employed to regain access:
Tom: Our experience includes everything from coat hangers and tree branches jammed between windows and doors to hacksaw blades, screwdrivers, and more.
However, these ad-hoc methods, while potentially effective, come with their own set of drawbacks:
Tom: Attempting to unlock a vehicle without the right tools and expertise can lead to unintended consequences. These range from scratches on the paint and damage to rubber door gaskets to malfunctioning locks, broken windows, and even structural panel damage.
Dispelling Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction
Let’s address some common myths surrounding DIY unlocking methods:
Myth: Using a cell phone to unlock a car, with someone remotely pressing the unlock button while you hold the phone near the vehicle.
Tom: Unfortunately, this isn’t a reliable technique. Mobile phones operate on low-frequency ranges, whereas a car’s remote functions with high frequencies. The technology mismatch prevents a successful outcome.
Myth: Employing a string to snake through the door gasket and pull up the interior lock.
Tom: This approach can work under specific circumstances, but it’s far from foolproof. On some vehicles with vertical interior locks and no interlocking edges, it may be effective. However, without the right expertise, it’s easy to cause damage. A safer alternative involves using an air wedge to create a gap for threading a string into the door gasket. While viable, it demands precision.
The Vital Lesson: Seeking Professional Assistance
Tom underscores a pivotal point for facility and maintenance professionals:
Tom: Attempting DIY methods can lead to costly damage that far surpasses the expense of professional unlocking services. Before considering risky tactics, remember that professionals possess the know-how and tools to ensure a safe and damage-free resolution.
Unlocking Solutions with The Security Professionals
For facility and maintenance experts, as well as businesses managing fleets, we’re here to offer not just insights but reliable solutions. If you’re interested in proactive measures to prevent locked keys, seek expert advice on managing fleet vehicles or any security-related matter, reach out to us. Our team is dedicated to assisting you in meeting security and locksmithing needs efficiently and professionally.
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