According to the FBI’s 2007 crime report, a car is stolen every 24 seconds in the United States alone. [1] With this alarming statistic, it is even more important to take steps to ensure that your vehicle is secure. To prevent your car from being stolen, you can use both the recent advancements in car security, as well as general common sense. Here are some easy-to-follow tips that can help you to decrease the likelihood that your car will be stolen.
Car Theft Prevention Tip #1 – Be Careful Where You Park
This may seem like very basic common sense, but parking in a dangerous area does put your car at risk for theft. Though parking outside of a parking garage in the city may save you a bit of money, it can put your car at risk. Leaving your car in a parking garage decreases the likelihood that a thief will steal your car, since many parking garages are monitored by CCTV cameras.
Car Theft Prevention Tip #2 – Know Your Car’s Security Features
If you purchase a used vehicle, chances are that it may not be equipped with an effective security system. Take a bit of time to get to know your car’s security features, as well as the methods you need to use to activate them. If you find that your car’s security system is lacking, take note of which security devices you can purchase to make your vehicle more secure.
Car Theft Prevention Tip #3 – Install a GPS Tracking Device
Due to car theft being relatively common, many car owners are choosing to purchase a GPS tracking device for their vehicle. This device can allow you to track your car’s location, and can also help authorities to locate your stolen vehicle. Most GPS tracking devices for vehicles cost from $175 – $500 USD, depending on quality and features.
Car Theft Prevention Tip #4 – Watch Your Keys
Surprisingly, a large number of cars are stolen with the keys still in the ignition. During a busy day, you may make the mistake of leaving your keys inside your vehicle. This is a huge temptation for criminals, since it promises an easy getaway with your vehicle. To help prevent this, attach a lanyard or key chain to your car’s keys. This can act as a visual aid to help remind you to remove your keys from your vehicle after you have parked.
Car Theft Prevention Tip #5 – Alarms, Locks and other Security Devices
To help protect your car from being stolen, there are many different security devices you can use. This includes steering wheel locks, tire locks, car alarms and other useful security products. Depending on your vehicle’s existing security system, as well as the crime in your area, you may want to look into purchasing some of these devices.
Sources:
[1] http://www.fbi.gov/publications.htm
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Can the GPS tracking device be turned off? How can we track it if the thief turns it off?