Clark, Perdue, Arnold & Scott's Blog
The blog for Columbus Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers and Litigation Attorneys, Clark, Perdue, Arnold & Scott.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Ten Tips to Prevent Vehicle Theft
Warm weather in Ohio is always a welcome change. However, the warm weather often can lead to an increase in criminal activity. In addition to criminal activity, summer often leads to carelessness among car owners. There are things we can all do to lessen the likelihood of being a victim of vehicle theft. Adhere to the following tips, and you can minimize your chances of being the victim of car theft. Car thieves are criminals of easy opportunity; remove their opportunity, and we remove them! Tips for protecting your vehicle from auto theft:
1. Always take your keys. Never leave them in the car. Nearly 20 percent of all vehicles stolen had the keys in them.
2. Always lock your car. Approximately 50 percent of all vehicles stolen were left unlocked.
3. Never hide a second set of keys in your car. Extra keys can easily be found if a car thief takes time to look.
4. Consider etching your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) onto the glass surfaces of your vehicle. VIN etching makes vehicles less attractive to thieves because all windows must be replaced before the car is tagged with a fake VIN for resale.
5. Replace T-shaped door locks with straight locks. Some vehicle doors have lock assemblies at window level that flare out in a knob or "T' shape. A thief can use various tools to gain access inside the vehicle, grab and pull the lock. Straight locks prevent this.
6. Install an ignition kill switch. Splice an inexpensive toggle switch into your ignition wire or to your starter. The trick is hiding the switch well. Keypads, pressure pads and more expensive "Immobilizers" and "Passkeys" can also be used.
7. Completely close your car windows when parking. Don't make it any easier for the thief to enter your vehicle. Remember: Closed not cracked!
8. Don't leave valuables in plain view. Don't make your car a more desirable target and attract thieves by leaving valuables in plain sight.
9. Immediately report any suspicious activity to the Trust your senses! If something or someone looks out of place, report it!10. Use a steering wheel or tire/wheel lock.
For more information on vehicle theft protection, or what to do if your vehicle is stolen, visit
http://www.watchyourcar.org/content/?/protect/tips.
Finally, to remain safe while occupying your vehicle, visit the Ohio Insurance Institute website for five tips on personal safety
http://www.ohioinsurance.org/pdf/crime.pdf.
posted by daleperdue at 9:32 AM
