subject: Preventing Car Theft [print this page] Preventing Car Theft Preventing Car Theft
For as much time as many of us spend in our cars, it is easy to consider your vehicle as an extension of your home; it is a place you typically feel safe, a cocoon that carries you where you need to go. Furthermore, many of us also live in denial that anything bad could ever happen to us and it is hard to get your head around the idea that you could become a victim. However, an estimated 1.2 million cars are stolen in the U.S. annually and millions more suffer from theft of possessions inside the car, vandalism, and other types of violence that can leave you feeling violated, confused, and upset.There are steps you can take to make sure you do not become a victim, but it does require you coming to the realization that you have to keep your wits about you at all times.In today's world, it is the savvy and aware person who makes sure they are never taken advantage of and never victimized. In order to prevent theft, you must lock your car doors at all times. While a determined thief can still find a way in to your car if they really want it, providing a deterrent is going to slow them down or make them think twice about wanting to possibly draw attention to themselves. Install an alarm system on your car, something that makes a bunch of noise if your car is tampered with. The last thing a car thief ever wants is undue attention.Another tip is to never park in a place where you could put yourself or your vehicle at risk. Choose a well lit area of a parking lot and shy away from areas that are remote or provide blind spots. Not only are these attractive to thieves, they also leave your person at risk.It is also important to never leave valuables in plain view inside your car. Women need to take their purses with them at all times, even if it is just a quick stop where you are running in and running out. Don't tempt fate or others who might think that your purse is full of cash or credit cards. Furthermore, we all know that our cars are full of other valuables too, like cell phone, iPods, and GPS devices. When leaving your car, put these items away and out of sight. A little diligence now, will save you big headaches later.Finally, when you park your car at home, if you have the option to park in a garage, do it. While you may believe your neighborhood is the epitome of safe, the reality is, millions of cars get stolen each year from neighborhoods just like yours. Put your car in your garage at the end of the day and make sure your garage is locked. Yes, it might mean you have to clean out the garage and purge or store some of your belongings, but we personally think getting rid of some clutter stored in your garage will help protect one of your biggest investments, your car.
