Stop Car thieves
Car thieves want a quick, easy boost. So, making
your vehicle harder to steal can increase the chances of your car still
being there when you return from errands.
Here are some of the latest auto theft devices on the market.
Global
Positioning Service (GPS) devices can help law enforcement locate your
automobile if stolen. IDsticker, a low-cost tracking program, can help
officials track down your car when other devices failed to help.
Car
alarm systems will activate sirens, car lights or the car horn if
someone tries to steal the car. Sometimes, these devices can be a
headache-sounding off if someone simply bumps the vehicle-but, in the
long run, they are worth it. Don't ever give alarm codes to a parking
attendant. Experienced auto thieves may know how to disconnect this
alarm, so consider investing in a back-up power supply.
Having a
fuel switch on your vehicle will stop the supply of fuel, in case the
car is stolen. Hidden kill switches can also prevent auto theft. The
vehicle will not start unless a switch is turned on. A Master Lock
product called Starter Sentry is recommended in the kill switch
category for auto theft safety. Check your car warranty before
installing one of the gadgets; it may nullify the warranty.
Listed below are some auto theft tips that will make a car thief's job much more difficult.
•
Never leave the keys in an unlocked car. This is an open and easy
invitation to a passerby thief. Always lock the car and make sure all
the windows are rolled completely up.
• Attended parking lots, or
lots busy with people coming and going, are a turn-off for car thieves.
If you must leave keys with an attendant, check the contents of the car
before leaving to make sure nothing is missing.
• Park your car in a well-lit area at night.
•
Leaving a back-up key in a magnetic box somewhere under the car is not
a good idea. If the thief has enough time, they will probably find it.
•
Don't ever leave the car running while stopping at a convenience store,
not even for just a second. It only takes a second for a thief to hop
in the driver's seat and steal your car with any valuables still
inside-children included. Some drivers leave their cars running to warm
up on cold mornings. Sometimes, they go back outside to an empty
driveway.
• Home garages can be a deterrent to a car thief. Lock
the car doors and the garage door--anything that makes a vehicle harder
to access is worth the trouble and time.
• When leaving a parked
car, don't leave valuables such as medicines or laptop computers in
plain sight. These attractions are simply too hard for the car thief to
resist.
• Never leave the automobile's registration or title
inside the car-put them in your purse, wallet or brief case. If the car
is stolen, it can easily be sold or junked with no problem.
Consider
researching some of the auto theft devices available to prevent your
vehicle from being stolen. The auto theft tips listed in this article
may also slow down the burglary process. It is recommended that you try
using a few of these methods combined to deter the auto thief.
