Car theft in America is more prevalent than you may think, with 721,885 vehicles stolen in 2019 alone. While this number was slightly lower than the previous year, it still means almost 722,000 people suffered vehicle loss in just one year.
Losing your vehicle can be a harrowing experience, given how much money and time you’ve invested in its purchase and maintenance. It’s the reason many car owners spare no expense when it comes to vehicle security.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your car safe in some parking lot or your driveway. In today’s post, we give you six actionable vehicle security tips to ensure you hold onto your prized asset.
1. Secure the Keys
One of the easiest yet effective theft prevention tactics is to keep your car keys out of sight. That goes for spare keys as well.
Many people dismiss this important tip, especially when making a quick stop at a gas station or in front of a shop. Whenever you leave your vehicle keys in a place criminals can see them, you’re allowing them easy access to the car. It makes it so much easier for them to steal your car.
Keep in mind that as long as a criminal is using your car’s original key, they can use it without triggering any alarm you’ve installed in your car.
Never keep your keys out of sight during the day when running your daily errands. Likewise, ensure the car keys are by your side at night. That way, even if a criminal does break into your house at night, they won’t gain easy access to the keys.
2. Keep Valuables Out of Sight
Another important vehicle safety tip is to avoid leaving your handbag, laptop, wallet, cellphone, or other valuables on your car’s dashboard or passenger seat. Doing so only acts as a magnet for criminals passing by.
A criminal may break into the car to steal the valuables and consider stealing the vehicle altogether. Thus, take everything of value whenever you park your vehicle. Where it’s not possible to take the items with you, lock them in the trunk or a place in your car where they can’t be easily spotted, such as underneath the seats or in hidden compartments.
Crucial documents, including the registration certificate and driver’s license, should also be hidden while your vehicle is parked. If criminals gain access to such documents, it only makes it easier for them to steal the vehicle.
3. Invest in a Car Alarm
A car alarm is meant to deter theft by alerting you when an authorized person attempts to tamper with your vehicle. What makes car alarms so effective is the fact that they remain active around the clock. A car alarm goes off instantly when someone tries to enter your car.
You can even find advanced car alarm systems that have such features as mobile notification capability. Such a system sends a notification to your mobile phone whenever it detects unusual activity.
If you drive a more modern vehicle, it’s very likely it came equipped with a factory car alarm system. Older vehicles may not have this security feature, but you can easily find a reliable aftermarket alarm system.
4. Purchase a Steering Wheel Lock
This simple vehicle security system is easily accessible, especially if you’re looking for a basic model. More advanced steering wheel locks come at a higher price, but they pack a ton of additional features.
A steering wheel look is designed to fit directly on your car’s steering wheel, preventing its movement. If the steering wheel can’t move, that makes stealing the car extremely difficult.
Consider a brightly colored steering wheel lock that is easily visible from the outside. If criminals can see the wheel lock, chances are they’ll be less likely to break into the vehicle and will look for easier targets instead.
5. Always Park in Secured Areas
Parking your vehicle in a garage is one of the best ways to prevent stealing. This is especially the case at night when it’s dark and the streets are empty. Most car thieves prefer such conditions as they can break into vehicles without being detected.
But what if you have no option but to park your vehicle on the street? The smartest move is to ensure the part of the street you park it in is well-lit, preferably near some public place. This way, people passing by can easily identify if someone attempts to steal your car and alert the authorities.
6. Invest in a GPS Tracker
Sometimes, even with the precautions above, a determined car thief may still be able to break into your vehicle or caravan and drive off or tow the caravan away. That’s why it makes a lot of sense to install a GPS tracker to stop car thieves and keep your caravan safe.
Modern GPS car tracking systems come with the alarm feature. When someone tries to break into your vehicle or tow your caravan away, the alarm is set off, and you get an alert on your smartphone. These security systems also offer real-time notifications when any vibrations are detected on your vehicle.
Prioritize Vehicle Security To Protect Your Asset
Your car is a massive asset, so it’s only natural that you’d want to prioritize vehicle security. Thankfully, all it takes is a few proactive steps to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of vehicle theft.
Would you like to read more great content like this? Please, keep visiting our blog.
