Keys locked in the car? Do this first.

If a child or pet is inside

Call 911 first. In Florida heat a closed car can become dangerous within minutes. Emergency services come first; a locksmith comes second.

The next five minutes

1. Check every door and the trunk or hatch. It happens more than you would think.
2. If someone has a spare key, a short drive is often the cheapest fix.
3. Check your roadside plan. Many auto insurance policies and some credit cards include lockout service.
4. Call a locksmith with a real local address and ask for the full price up front.

What not to try

• Coat hangers and slim jims. Modern doors are full of wiring, airbag sensors and window linkages. A bent hanger can cost far more than a lockout call.
• Breaking a window. Side glass is expensive and the shards end up everywhere.
• Prying the door frame with anything sharp. Bent frames let in wind and water for years.

How a locksmith opens a car

A professional uses an inflatable wedge to make a small gap and a long reach tool to press the unlock button or pull the handle, or picks the lock itself. Done right, it leaves no marks. Expect to show ID and proof that the car is yours.

Key-En-Lock handles car, home and business lockouts across Brevard County.