Whilst it may seem obvious, it is essential that you lock your car. If you forget to lock your vehicle, it becomes an easy target. It is also a good idea to double check that the car is locked. If you are in a rush for work, or on the school run, it can be easy to forget the simplest of things or to dismiss them. However, if you take the time to take preventative measures, you will keep your car secure. Moreover, if you lock your car manually, you can prevent thieves from cloning your key’s wireless signal, thus denying them access to the car in this way.
It is a good idea to install locks on the steering wheel, gearstick and handbreak. These metal locking devices are difficult to break and prevent them from being moved when the car is not intended to be in use. Though these are an additional cost, they are relatively cheap, though increase in price for enhanced security. These locks also act as a deterrent to opportunistic thieves, who will move on upon realising your car isn’t an easy target.
It is important to consider where is the most secure place to keep your keys. One of the easiest ways for a thief to steal a car, is to steal the keys themselves. It is recommended that you do not keep the keys in a pocket or near a window or door in the house. These are often the obvious places, because they are easily accessible to you, but also, to an opportunist thief. Instead, when they’re not needed, consider keeping your keys in a safe or hidden in a draw.
If you have any valuables in your car, when the car is not in use or the valuables not needed, ensure that they are either removed from the vehicle, or well hidden. Opportunist thieves may not only be attracted to your car itself, but also to its contents.
