I considered titling this blog: “My Spring Break Travel Woes,” but decided to save it for a future posting. We just returned from a spring break that was… well; let’s just say I learned many valuable travel lessons in last two weeks. For example, when borrowing a relative’s vehicle (that doesn’t have keyless entry) it’s a good idea to place the key in your purse or pocket before heading into the mall.
Last week in a flurry of activity of getting kids unbuckled, out of the way of oncoming traffic, and into a mall I was unfamiliar with (during an Easter visit to see out-of-town relatives) I neglected to place the car keys in my pocket. Long story short I spent an hour furiously searching my purse, store shelves, and mall halls for a set of car keys that I eventually found dangling from my borrowed vehicle’s passenger side door lock. Translation: I basically invited a car thief to take my relative’s vehicle filled with Easter presents—no strings attached.
The good news: I was spared! (Hence the title of this blog.) My airhead move was not taken advantage of… Thank God! I consider it a blessing especially since the National Insurance Crime Bureau says that once every 20 seconds in the United States a vehicle is stolen – and that theft from vehicles occurs far more often than that.
Clearly, I was given a break and have learned a valuable lesson in the process. My relative’s vehicle does not have a fancy alarm system, an elaborate ignition cutoff, or a vehicle tracking systems (not that it would have mattered since I left the keys hanging from the door) and neither does my own car. According to car safety experts, those anti-theft devices may help deter thieves from breaking into your car, but so can practicing some basic, common sense measures including:
Parking in a well-lighted area. My brothers tend to park in deserted areas of the parking lot to avoid having outlaw shopping carts scratch their vehicles, but it is safer to find a space near a store entrance or higher-traffic areas.
Locking all doors and closing windows—ALWAYS!! I am guilty of leaving doors unlocked while running into convenience stores. Obviously, this is not a good idea. It’s also not a good idea to leave your car running while you use an ATM, etc.
Not leaving valuables in your car. Shopping bags are great bait for thieves. Keep any loose objects locked in the trunk. Also, if you think throwing a blanket over shopping bags is a good idea–think again. Covering things can be an obvious invitation for a break-in.
Parallel-parking on main roads. Parking on visible high-traffic roads is safer than parking on side streets or in alleys.
Parking in open, visible spaces. If you drive a compact car don’t park next to large trucks and SUVs. Doing so gives thieves cover from security cameras and pedestrians.
Purchasing a locking gas cap. Having one helps prevent thieves from stealing fuel.
NOT thinking that your car is too old or beat up to be the target of thieves. Car experts say in most cases stolen vehicles are stripped for parts rather than for resale, and the overall condition of the car makes little difference.
Related Articles:
Protecting Your Vehicle From Thieves
Preparing For Your Road Trip: Part 1