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Traits of a Great Locksmith: Why Our Locksmiths Are the Best

Choosing the right locksmith can be scary, especially if you are locked out of your car in an empty parking lot. Some companies do not prioritize timeliness, others may hire individuals who are not suitable for a locksmithing career. At Pop-A-Lock, we take great care in hiring the most qualified candidates for the job. If you want to know what to look for when choosing a locksmith, look out for these top traits of a great locksmith.

A person’s hands pressed against the outside of a car window. No one is inside the car, but the lights are on.

Friendly & Welcoming

If you’re calling a locksmith, odds are you are already feeling on edge. You want a locksmith who is sociable and easygoing. Someone with a contagious smile that makes people feel at ease. Locksmiths work with many different people, and it is not uncommon for customers to be in high emotional states as they deal with the stress of a lockout. Losing access to a home, business, or car causes anxiety in most people so it’s important for a locksmith to approach the situation in a calm and friendly manner.

Patience

Not only is it important for a locksmith to be patient when interacting with customers, but also as they gain entry to your locked home, business, or car. Locks have very specific parts and it takes time and patience to properly pick a lock without damaging the internal mechanisms. Some locks even have anti-tampering properties to prevent break-ins which can require even more attention to detail. Choosing a locksmith that has the patienceto do things the right way the first time around will save you a headache in the future.

A large pile of padlocks in different shapes and sizes with names or other markings on some of them.

Experience

It goes without saying that when you call a locksmith, you want to be certain they have experience in their field. The longer they’ve been in the business, the more trustworthy they are. As locks are made for the sole purpose of keeping unwanted visitors out, it takes an experienced locksmith to counteract the locking mechanisms. Even if you’re not dealing with a lockout, you want to feel confident that your locksmith can install new locks and duplicate keys with pristine accuracy.

Quick Response Time

A locksmith’s main mission is to keep you safe so you want to choose a company that quickly dispatches technicians to your location. At Pop-A-Lock, we will always send a professional locksmith your way as soon as possible. We even have a program to keep children safe in vehicles. The program, PALSavesKids, provides lockout services free of charge to rescue children who are locked inside a vehicle.

Two apartment buildings that are brick and steel with small porches on an overcast day.

Can Perform a Range of Services

There are two main benefits to choosing a locksmith with a range of services. First, if a locksmith works with residential, commercial, and automotive locks, they will be familiar with a variety of kinds of locks and therefore more experienced at problem solving. Additionally, when you find a professional and trustworthy locksmithing company, you’ll want to keep using that company. Pop-A-Lock provides every locksmithing service you may need – from lock installation and rekeying, to duplicating keys, to ignition repair. We want to form life-long relationships with our customers which is why we do everything we can to give you unbeatable customer service. 

Strong Moral Compass

The most important trait a locksmith should have is trustworthiness. If you are giving someone access to your home, business, or vehicle, you want to be assured that they are honest, ethical, and treat you and your property with respect. At Pop-A-Lock, we only hire individuals with discipline and a strong work ethic.

Why Choose Pop-A-Lock?

When it comes down to it, there is no single trait of a great locksmith. Rather, it is the combination of several important personality traits that makes an individual an excellent locksmith. Becoming a locksmith requires a strong work ethic, patience, and above all, empathy. Having a passion for helping others is at the very core of being a locksmith, and at the core of our company values. Your safety is our number one priority which is why we only hire highly qualified, friendly, and caring professionals. Whether you need help getting into your home, need to duplicate a car key, or want to install new locks for your office space, your local Pop-A-Lock is here to help!

Road Safety: 6 Car Security Tips for a Road Trip

Summertime is here and you’re packing up the car to head out on a road trip. Maybe it’s the beach or the mountains, or simply to see some friends and family – regardless, you want to consider your car’s security.  You can spend time creating the perfect itinerary, even curating the best playlist for your ride to guarantee a fun-filled road trip, but none of that will matter if you neglect ensuring your belongings and car are safe on the journey.

1. Keep Items Stored Securely.

The general rule of thumb about not leaving valuables visible in your car still applies to road trips – it is even more important to follow that rule while traveling. There are absolutely going to be moments along the journey where you will have to leave something of value in your car, but luckily we have created a guide showing you the best places to hide belongings in your car while away.  

2. Make a Plan – For Fun and For Security.

You’ll enjoy traveling more if you have a solid plan in place. It’s fun to plan your adventures and create a list of things to do along the way or for whenever you reach your destination, but creating a travel plan is equally important. Knowing where gas stations are along your route or the best town for sleeping along the way are all things you can do to maintain safe travels.

If you take the extra time beforehand to prepare your route, you’ll guarantee that you stay overnight in safe towns, which further protects you and your belongings. The same goes for planning ways to prevent a vehicle break-in. We recommend reading through one of our recent blogs to give you great advice on how to minimize your chances at having your car broken into.

3. Have an Emergency Kit Ready.

It can be a few key items or a whole entire emergency kit, but regardless you will be glad you had some supplies whenever you find yourself needing it. Here are a list of things you’ll want to include in your emergency kit:

  • Spare tire (bonus if it is properly inflated)
  • Jumper cables
  • Multipurpose utility tool
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Nonperishable foods 

4. Stay Alert At All Times.

Staying alert on the road looks like constantly scanning for road hazards, making sure you are staying well rested, and not getting distracted. The best way to maintain your car’s safety is to be a safe driver and practice being aware and alert anytime you are behind the wheel. Do not hesitate to pull over to take a call or ask someone in the car with you to drive for a while so that you can have a break.

5. Check the Weather Before You Leave.

Making sure you’re prepared for all types of weather before a road trip is essential for many reasons. If you are planning a trip in the winter or to a mountainous destination, certain precautions must be considered. Your car may need tire chains or new tires, or you may find that you have never driven in these conditions and feel unconfident. Also, if your journey takes you through unfavorable weather it would be wisest to check your windshield wipers and the tread level on your tires to ensure they can handle those conditions.

6. Ensure Your Car’s Parts Can Handle the Journey. 

This point ties into the weather related tip, but it includes much more. It’s best practice to look over the date your car last received an oil change. If it is due soon, it would be best to take care of that before your trip. The same rule applies for tires and batteries. You will thank yourself for checking these things before your trip versus if they became issues while you were on your road trip.

Extra Tip: Know That Pop-A-Lock is Always Here to Help.

Our top priority is always your safety and security. With locations all across the country, we are one call away from helping you unlock your car, prepare extra sets of keys before a trip, and even provide roadside assistance. Visit our website to find a location nearby and to browse the services we offer.