DON'T LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING:
Though
this may sound pretty obvious, many of us do it. "Oh, i'm just going in
for one second." It may only take that one second for anyone to hop in
your car and be gone. Unfortunately, no matter how much security your
vehicle has, it will not protect you from this.
ALWAYS LOCK DOORS:
As
simple as this may sound also, it has been estimated that approximately
50% of all vehicle burglaries were done on vehicles that were not
locked. Even if you have your vehicle in a place that you feel is
"safe," it may not be and you can never be too sure.
NEVER DISPLAY VALUABLES:
A
huge mistake that people make is leaving something in the vehicle that
is of value or may be desirable. This catches the eye of potential
thieves and makes you a target above all others around you. It is
important to take valuables with you or lock them in the glove box.
INSTALL ANTI-THEFT DEVICES:
Installing
steering wheel locks will deter potential thieves immediately because
they are quite visible. Also installing a car alarm or ignition kill
switch, though it may cost money now, it may save a lot of money and
hassle later.
PARK IN WELL LIT, HIGHLY TRAVELLED AREAS:
It
is estimated that over 50% of all auto thefts happen at night. This
makes sense because it is much easier to go undetected. However, we
don't always think about this. If you are going to be somewhere
(shopping mall for example), park near a street light or where there is
a lot of constant traffic.
NEVER HIDE A KEY:
Don't
ever hide a spare key for your vehicle. If you are as forgetful as
myself, you may need to find other ways of "back-up" (like giving it to
a close relative or keeping it in your purse). However, thieves know
where to look to find extra keys, and it is like an invitation for the
vehicle to be stolen.