Protect Your Car, Anti-Theft Practices!
There are several best anti-theft practices that you can implement to help protect your car from theft. Here are some of the most effective:
Lock Your Car
Always make sure to lock your car, even when you’re only stepping away for a short period of time. This is the most basic step you can take to prevent theft. It may seem obvious but you’d be surprised to learn that a lot of people omit this step when going for quick trips. Even when at the gas station or nipping into the super market, if your car is unattended make sure it’s always locked!
Use A Steering Wheel Lock
A steering wheel lock is a device that attaches to your steering wheel and makes it difficult for someone to steer your car, even if they manage to get inside. This can be a strong deterrent for thieves. It’s an extra step to get through and when it comes to taking cars, time is everything. If you’re in a public place, adding the hassle of having to deal with extra steps is a great way to make your car not a target. The device works by blocking the ability to steer the car efficiently, forcing the car to go mostly straight until the device is removed.
Park In Well-lit Areas
Thieves are more likely to target cars parked in dimly lit areas. If possible, park your car in a well-lit area or a busy, populated location. The more people are around the brazen the thieves have to be. Most stealing is done with the hopes of not being caught. Surrounding the car with other people and good visibility thanks to lights makes it much harder for a criminal to pick your car or destroy a window. It’s not foolproof but every deterrent counts.
Install An Alarm System
An alarm system can alert you and others in the area if someone attempts to break into your car. Some alarm systems can also immobilize the car, making it difficult for the thief to drive away. A car alarm draws attention to your car and most thieves want to avoid attention. An audible alarm also has a better chance to alter you, the owner. You cannot rely on the general public to be more than just a deterrent but if you hear the alarm, you are able to react and get to your vehicle and prevent the theft.
Keep Valuables Out Of Sight
Don’t leave valuables such as laptops, phones, or purses visible inside the car. This can attract thieves and make them more likely to break in. We were out at a restaurant once and when we came back to our car it was luckily unharmed. However next to us was a car with the window smashed. The family who owned the car were gathered round the car. They told us that they realised they left their phone charger visible and deducted that whoever was responsible may have assumed that meant there could have been a phone in the car too. So be safe and leave nothing out to entice criminals. The charger taken was worth less than 5 euros.
Consider A GPS Tracking Device
A GPS tracking device can help you locate your car if it’s stolen. Some systems can even alert you if the car is moved or if the battery is disconnected. This can help greatly for police to track down and recover your car if stolen. The sooner police can locate your car the better the chanced of recovering it, especially damage free.
Be cautious with spare keys: Don’t leave spare keys in obvious places such as under the car or in the glove compartment. Thieves know where to look for spare keys, so it’s important to keep them in a secure location.
