Locked keys in the car? Check safety first
Take a breath. This happens to drivers every day, and it is often fixable without breaking glass. Here is what to do next.
Confirm the keys are inside and the vehicle is safe
Before doing anything else:
- Check all doors: Sometimes one is unlocked
- Look for open windows: Even a crack can help
- Locate your keys: Confirm they’re inside (not lost)
- Check for a spare: Call family members who might have one
Avoid damage while you are locked out
Do not force the door open
Using coat hangers, slim jims, or other DIY tools can:
- Damage door panels and weather stripping
- Trigger airbags in newer vehicles
- Damage electronic components
- Void your warranty
Do not break a window unless life is at risk
Unless there’s a life-threatening emergency (child or pet in a hot car), breaking a window:
- Can be costly to replace
- Creates safety hazards from broken glass
- May trigger alarms
- Is often unnecessary
Safe ways to get back into the car
Call a local automotive locksmith
An automotive locksmith can:
- Unlock your door without damage
- Create a new key on-site if needed
- Handle many common vehicle makes and models
- Give an arrival window based on current availability
Why it is safer: Using specialized tools designed for your vehicle type, specialists access the lock mechanism without harming the door or electronics.
Check roadside assistance coverage
If you have AAA or roadside coverage:
- Check your insurance or credit card benefits
- Note: Wait times can vary significantly
- Coverage may have limits
Check connected vehicle or dealer unlock options
For newer vehicles with connected services:
- Some can unlock remotely via app
- May require subscription (OnStar, etc.)
- Contact dealership for options
Urgent car lockout situations
Keys locked in a running car
This is more common than you’d think:
- Don’t try to stop the engine
- A locksmith can open without turning off the car
- Prevents potential engine damage from sudden shutdown
Child or pet locked inside
This needs urgent attention. If a child or pet is locked in a hot car:
- Call a locksmith right away
- Stay with the vehicle
- Keep the child or pet calm
Prevent the next car lockout
Keep a spare key plan
- Keep one at home, with a person you choose, or in a magnetic key box
- Program a spare fob before you need it
Use key tracking or vehicle app tools
- Bluetooth key finders (Tile, AirTag)
- Phone apps that warn when you leave keys behind
- Keypad entry if your car supports it
Make door closing harder to mess up
- Always check for keys before closing doors
- Use the same pocket every time
- Lock with button, not door switch
Car lockout service in Delaware and nearby Pennsylvania service areas
Where we respond to lockouts most often
We get lockout calls from specific spots so regularly that our techs know the parking lot layouts by heart:
- SEPTA station lots in Claymont and Wilmington — commuters rushing for the train lock keys inside more than you’d think. These lots have limited lighting after dark, so we prioritize evening calls here.
- Shopping centers on Route 40 in Bear — Governors Square, Fox Run, and the Wawa plazas. High-traffic lots where people set keys down in the trunk while loading groceries.
- University of Delaware lots in Newark — students with older vehicles that don’t have keyless entry. The Smith Hall and Perkins garage areas are repeat locations for us.
- Christiana Mall and Riverfront Wilmington — big lots where it’s easy to rush and forget keys, especially during holiday shopping.
- Concord Pike office parks — professionals who leave keys on the desk and hit the door lock out of habit.
What NOT to do while locked out
We’ve seen the aftermath of DIY entry attempts, and it’s almost always more expensive than calling a locksmith would have been:
Coat hanger through the window seal. This tears weather stripping, which costs more to replace than a lockout service call. On newer vehicles, you’ll also scratch the interior door panel and potentially snag wiring for the window motor.
Slim jim on a modern vehicle. Slim jims were designed for pre-2000 cars with simple vertical lock rods. On anything newer, the door cavity is packed with wiring harnesses, side airbag modules, and electronic components. We’ve seen slim jim attempts trigger curtain airbags — that’s a repair bill in the thousands.
Tennis ball or air wedge from Amazon. The tennis ball trick doesn’t work on any vehicle made in the last 20 years. Cheap air wedges from Amazon can bend the door frame enough to create a permanent gap that whistles at highway speed and leaks water.
Calling a tow truck for a lockout. Some tow drivers will attempt entry, but they’re not trained for it and don’t carry vehicle-specific tools. You’ll pay for the tow call and still need a locksmith if they can’t get in.
Prevention tips for Delaware commuters
If you park-and-ride at Churchmans Crossing or the Claymont SEPTA lot daily, build a routine:
- Keys go in your pocket before you open the trunk — every time
- Keep a spare key in your wallet or bag (not in the car)
- If your vehicle supports it, set up the phone app unlock feature before you need it
- Consider a magnetic key box under the frame for true emergencies (hide it well)
Kwikey Locksmith provides mobile car lockout service throughout our service area. Our automotive specialists:
- Confirm availability for your service area
- Use careful, vehicle-safe entry tools
- Handle many common makes and models
- Review pricing before work starts
Locked out now? Call (302) 551-2550 for timing, pricing, and the next available mobile locksmith.