We’ve been there at least once in our lives. It happens even to the most careful folks we know. No matter how much we try to avoid it, it still victimizes even the best of us. Wondering what I am talking about? I’m talking about what to do when you lock your keys in your car.

Unfortunate as it is, we shouldn’t just lay down and fall victim to this phenomena. That’s why we are here to help you out. Here’s what you should and shouldn’t do when you’ve locked your keys in your car.

What To Do When You Lock Your Keys in Your Car

1. Don’t Panic

This is the first and most important thing to do here. Don’t panic and just relax. The world is not going to end anytime soon and you’re just locked out of your car. Panicking puts you in a state where you can’t think straight and you end up missing important stuff or information necessary for the next few steps. Call a friend or family member and inform them of your situation. Make sure you tell them where you are so they know.

2. Check the surroundings

As soon as you have settled down, look around and check the vicinity. Where are you? If you are located in a fairly populated area like a mall parking lot or somewhere similar then you are a bit safer. Check for security personnel around and inform them of your concern. They may or may not be able to help you out but at least they know you’re not a bad guy. If you find yourself in a sketchy part of town, call 911 to ask for police assistance. Note that the priority will always be your own safety – your car will always come second.

Note that at this point you have the option to leave the car where it is right now (especially if it is in a safe location. You can always come back to have it opened with a spare key you have at home or with the help of a professional.

3. Call a roadside assistance service

If you really need to have your car opened right away, call AAA or any roadside assistance service. You may need to wait for half an hour or so for them to arrive and service costs range from $25 to $50 to have your car unlocked but at least you have nothing else to worry about. All you have to do is wait.

4. Avoid doing DIY things you see online

You may be tempted to do any DIY stuff to unlock your car that you see on Youtube or Facebook, but please avoid doing so as much as possible. Unless you are an expert, this might end up damaging your car. You might also get mistaken for a carjacker which is not really that rare.

5. Break the window

If it’s an emergency (for example, if a kid or pet is locked inside), don’t hesitate to break the windows of your car. If you can’t do it yourself, ask help from other people in the area to help you out. Make sure you break the window farthest away from the child/pet to reduce any possible injuries.

How To Prevent Yourself From Being Locked Out of Your Car

Now that the ordeal is done, how do you prevent yourself from being locked out of your car? The best solution is to always prepare a set of spare keys. You can either leave the keys at home, in your wallet/bag, or in a secret compartment on your car. A lot of products are out there nowadays that lets you “hide” a spare set of keys. Just make sure you keep it in a pretty hidden spot so your car won’t get stolen.