AAA: 'Tis the Season to Lock Keys in Car

During the holidays, most Hermosa Beach residents are so busy making their lists and checking them twice, they might misplace a thing or two—including their car keys.

The Auto Club of Southern California predicts that December will likely bring its highest number of requests for assistance by motorists who have locked themselves out of their vehicles.

Last year in December, about 9 percent of all lockout calls for assistance came from holiday shoppers, according to the Auto Club, which was about 77,375 calls.

 "The number of opportunities to forget car keys in vehicle ignitions or trunks where packages and gifts are stored seems to increase as harried shoppers get caught up in the rush of the season," said David Lang, vice president of Automotive Services, in a statement.

Overall, lockout calls made up about 16 percent of AAA roadside assistance calls last year, according to the Auto Club.

The busiest day for lockout calls last year was Dec. 17.

Lang has offered these tips to avoid being locked out of your vehicle this holiday season:

• Never leave car keys inside the vehicle’s passenger compartment in order to do something else like help a passenger or a child.
• Stay focused. Don’t become distracted while driving or getting in or out of your vehicle.
• Create the habit of exiting your vehicle with your car keys in hand and using the key fob security system to lock doors.  
• Try not to speed or rush while driving, parking or walking into or out of shopping centers.  
• Put keys in your pocket or purse when loading or unloading packages in your trunk.
• Take a moment when exiting a vehicle or before closing the car trunk lid to make sure you have your car keys in your hand, pocket or purse.

— Tips are from the Auto Club of Southern California.