Tips for preventing auto theft
It’s easy to leave the car running and leave your GPS in the passenger seat while you grab the mail or run into a store. But these habits increase your chances of falling victim to auto theft. And it’s important to know that auto theft prevention is about more than simply locking your car doors. Here are a few tips for keeping your car and the belongings inside it secure:
- Park in a garage: If your garage is full of junk and tools, clean it out. Parking your car in the garage makes it that much harder for thieves to break into it. This will also put your vehicle under the protection of your home alarm system. If you don’t have a garage, park your car as far into the driveway as possible. Keeping the driveway well lit at night is helpful, too.
- Hide valuables: Never leave personal items or valuables like driver’s licenses, bills, jewelry or mp3 players in your vehicle. Also hide any CDs or cords to electronics that hint your pricey items may be in the car.
- Get a security system: Vehicle security is almost as important as home security. Many vehicles already come with security systems. Learn how yours works and how to arm it. If you don’t have a car alarm, explore options like windows and glass-break sensors.
