The misplacement or loss of keys is an incredibly common household error. It’s often done out of absentmindedness or distraction, and can be incredibly annoying and inconvenient. Here’s a go-plan that you can stick to in case you find an empty pocket next time you reach for your keys.

Establish an Event Horizon

Think about the last time you remember having your keys. Where did you place them? Were you cleaning a shelf and possibly set down your keys in a weird place? Retrace all your steps to see if you misplaced them while distracted. If you remember being out of the house, call the locations you visited to ensure that your keys weren’t found.

Tell your neighbors

By letting your neighbors know that your keys were lost you are accomplishing two things. It’s possible that your keys were dropped on the street or near your door and they were found by a nearby neighbor – it’s good to check to see if the keys were found before taking other corrective steps. Additionally, by letting your neighbors know that your keys are missing – and that your doors are likely unlocked – you are taking a protective step that will make sure that your neighbors will be extra aware of any strange noises or activity around your house.

Replace your locks

If you really can’t locate your keys, you need to get your locks changed or lock rekey by a professional locksmith. Doing this eliminates the possibility of someone who may have found or stolen the keys to gain unlawful entry into your home. While this may seem like a drastic step, it’s important to keep in mind that the security and safety of your home or business should be the absolute top priority in your mind. Find a trusted, experienced lock technician to install your new locks – you will receive updated keys for your doors, and the misplaced or lost old keys will be rendered non working on your lock.