Inside Vehicle
- Keep the inside of your car tidy. Consider that shopping bags or boxes containing worthless objects may appear to hold valuables to a would-be thief.
- Whenever possible, don’t leave valuables in your car. Take these types of items with you when you exit the car.
- Hide electronics and accessories such as Apple Ipod adapters and GPS devices. Use cleaning wipes to erase evidence of suction cup mounts and put the cigarette lighter back in place.
- If it is necessary to keep valuables in your car, keep them in the trunk. If you have a SUV and the trunk area is viewable from the outside, consider purchasing a retractable cover. If you have a pick-up truck, utilize locked compartments inside the truck or install a storage box in the bed of the truck.
- Stash your valuables in your vehicle before you reach your final destination and park your car.
Locking Vehicle
- Always keep your parked car locked. Make sure your windows are completely closed as well as your sunroof if you have one.
- Keep your car locked when you are driving. This will reduce your chances of being car jacked or having valuables stolen when you are stopped in traffic.
- If your fuel tank can be accessed manually from the outside, considered getting a locking gas cap to prevent the siphoning of fuel. If your tank can’t be accessed from the outside, a locking gas cap can also serve to limit the driving time of a car thief.
Parking Vehicle
- If you have a garage and available space, park your vehicle in your garage.
- Park in a well lit area whenever possible. Put motion detectors on your house or garage to light up the driveway.
- Avoid parking next to large vehicles, bushes, trees, fences or other objects that can obstruct the visibility of your vehicle. These types of objects can serve to conceal a criminal in action.
- When home, don’t leave a garage door opener in your car if your car is parked in the driveway or on the street.
- When given a choice, park in an attended lot. Thieves are less likely to commit crime when a parking lot attendant could witness the incident.
Keys
- Never leave keys in an unoccupied vehicle, even if the car is parked in a locked garage. Don’t leave the keys in the car when you are pumping your gas or running inside to pay for it.
- Never keep a spare car key inside of your car.
- Consider how easily a burglar could find your car keys if they broke into your home. After all, many households have more than one car and it is not unusual for a car or cars to be on the property or within close proximity of the home when no one is home. If a burglar should gain access to your home and they spot the keys, they may load up your car with property and drive off.
- Be mindful that burglaries can occur when residents are home. If items such as keys, wallets, and purses are observable from an outside window, a burglar may be tempted to enter your home to steal the items. It is highly recommended that residents take these types of items upstairs or to their bedroom when they retire for the night. The panic button on a set of keys can come in handy if someone breaks in your home or is in your yard.