A Firefighter's Guide to Getting Keys Out of a Locked Car

As firefighters, we’re taught to solve a given problem while causing the least collateral damage. ‘Try before you pry’ is one of the first lessons in any forcible entry class. The same principle applies to getting your keys out of a locked car. First consider these options.

- By Andrew Northshield

Check all the doors

This may seem painfully obvious, but it has worked for me on more than one occasion. Someone calls, we arrive, we check the passenger door, and – thanks to a faulty driver’sside lock – gain access. People get tunnel vision when they’re stressed.

Call the experts If you’re really locked out, now’s the time to call a company such as the AA, or to check whether your insurance covers locksmith charges. If those aren’t an option, call the local fire or police department. Unlocking cars is a service some provide. None of these are expedient, but a professional with the correct tools is generally going to be worth the wait.