searching in snow

Lost Your Keys in the Snow? Here’s How to Get them Back

If you lost your keys in the snow, then don’t panic. It doesn’t matter whether you were shoveling, hiking, running, or snowboarding: if you are certain that your keys are buried under winter’s white blanket, then just remember that  it is possible to find them again. Here’s 2 tips you can use to help you reunite with your missing set of keys.

1. Use a Metal Detector

Before you start frantically shoveling your way to the center of the earth, do yourself a favor: get a metal detector. If you can retrace your steps, chances are that the metal detector will be able to pinpoint the general location of your keys.

How to Use a Metal Detector

If you’ve never used a metal detector before, then don’t worry: they are very easy to operate. While available settings can vary depending on the type of metal detector you get, there are a few universal buttons worth getting familiar with:

  • Detection Mode / Discrimination – These buttons allow you to exclude certain objects from being found. If your keys are made of brass, for example, you can use these settings to exclude iron objects from your search. If you’re not sure what kind of material your keys are made of, then don’t bother adjusting this setting.
  • Sensitivity – This button helps to define how precise you want the detector to be. Before playing around with this setting, use the metal detector as-is. If you’re stumbling upon lots of other objects, then try lowering the sensitivity.

To use your metal detector effectively, execute a sweeping motion while searching.  Keep the device about 6” above the ground Walk slowly and keep the detector roughly two feet in front of you. If you hear it beep, move the detector in small circles until you can pinpoint the exact spot.

2. Melt & Shovel The Snow

Ideally, you should wait for the snow to melt naturally; however, if you live in Connecticut, then you know how long snow piles can linger. If you don’t have a spare key, then you will have to dig to find the ones that are missing. If you’re faced with mounds of packed snow, then a blowtorch can be used to loosen it.

Need New Locks? All American Locksmith Can Help!

If you still can’t find your keys, then don’t worry. All American Locksmith offers 24/7 emergency locksmith services. If you’re locked out of your house, car, or business, then call us right now. Day, night, rain, or shine–we’ll be there to help you in your time of need.

 

man driving in a new car

New Car? Lost Keys? This Locksmith Has a Fix!

As automobile technologies progress, the cars we drive today have far more capabilities than those people used to get around in the decades past. From better audio technologies to wireless capabilities in the car and even sensors to keep you safer on the road, there’s something for everyone to love when it comes to newer cars.

If you’re lucky enough to own a car that was manufactured in the last two decades or so, then you probably are familiar with how different your car key is from those of long ago.

New Transponder Keys

Instead of a regular nickel key that resembles what you’d open your front door with, they have evolved into transponders that communicate with your car’s internals using an rf transmitter. These keys can send a signal to the car to start it, open and lock it and even disable the engine.

While these keys offer a multitude of benefits, your salesman might have also advised you that if you lose the key, it also costs significantly more to replace. That’s because each key is programmed to work with specifically manufacturer programmed components within the car.

How a Locksmith Helps with Lost Keys

A locksmith might be the first person you think to call as soon as you realize you’ve lost your car keys. Deepening on the issue they could help you rekey the locks or the ignition in hopes of getting you back into your car and driving.

When it comes to newer transponder keys, there is another tactic an experienced locksmith can use to help you gain access to your car without putting you at risk of theft.  And the best part: You can get back into your car without having to go through an entire ignition swap!

This process involves cutting the same key but with a different transponder code so that the old key can turn the ignition but it cannot start the car.

If you’re having trouble with your car keys?  Get in touch with All American Locksmiths. We go above and beyond to get you back into your vehicle. We also offer prompt lockout services, new locks and more throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, NY.

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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.