Have you ever parked your vehicle at a shopping mall, airport or other public venue and feared it may get broken into, or worse, will be gone when you return? I think most people would agree that having your vehicle broken into is an experience you’d wish to avoid. Even though summer is typically the most common time for vehicle break-ins, this type of crime is certainly not limited to any specific season, let alone to a particular type of vehicle. It can happen to anyone, but with a little fortitude and a consistent, defensive strategy, you can prevent it from ever happening to you.
When parking your vehicle, you can help protect it – and your possessions – by remembering these helpful tips:
- Hide your belongings. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity. If items are not easily visible through the windows, there is less chance that a break-in will occur. Place your belongings under a seat or in the glove box to help prevent a break-in from happening in the first place.
- Lock your doors. This seems obvious but along with hiding your belongings, locking your doors is one of the first lines of defense in preventing someone from entering your vehicle. The term “break-in” can be contradictory because vehicles are often entered with a simple pull of the unlocked handle. With nothing visible and the doors locked, chances are anyone considering breaking into your vehicle will likely move on.
- Park in a conspicuous area. When leaving your vehicle in a parking lot or garage, try to park close to thoroughfares, entrances, and security cameras. This avoids providing a would-be thief with the anonymity they’re looking for.
- Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle. Along with placing your belongings out of sight, I cannot stress enough – do not leave valuables such as cash, computers, electronics, etc. in your vehicle. It’s never a good idea to leave these items unattended in your vehicle, even if placed out of sight.
Regardless of the type of vehicle you drive and where you choose to park it, there is always an unfortunate chance of a break-in occurring. Be that as it may, just because it can happen doesn’t mean it has to. Take these proactive steps and don’t let yourself become a victim.
