Now, that Christmas is over, you get to ponder on which gift to keep and enjoy, which – to return or exchange, and which food to avoid (for a while, at least).
What if you got a car as a gift? Here are a few highlights on protecting your car (new or old) and the valuables in it:
What you can do to protect your vehicle and its contents:
– Remove your keys from the ignition and take your keys with you, when leave.
– Lock your vehicle.
– Never hide a second set of keys in your vehicle.
– Park in well-lighted areas.
– Never leave your vehicle running, even if you will only be gone for a minute.
– Completely close all vehicle windows when parking.
– Do not leave valuables in plain sight.
– Do not leave the registration or title in your vehicle.
– Always use your emergency brake when parking, which ensures safety and also makes it difficult for a thief to tow your vehicle away.
– Etch your vehicle identification number on car windows and major parts. This procedure makes vehicles and parts more easily traceable when stolen.
– Engrave expensive accessories like car stereos, cellular phones, compact disc changers, external speakers, etc., so that the thief will have difficulty disposing of them.
– Drop business cards, address labels or other identification inside vehicle doors to help assist law enforcement in identifying your vehicle or parts.
– Replace easily accessible door lock assemblies.
– Install an anti-theft device or system on your vehicle as an extra deterrent measure.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(Via www.sfgate.com)
