Let’s face it, not everyone is up to date with car safety tips. Many people, in fact, are so unaware of these tips that when they park their vehicle, they basically yell “rob me.” By taking just a few precautionary steps, you can make your vehicle too much trouble for a thief to want to get through, so you’ll leave your vehicle alone.

Vehicles are constantly being stolen and sold to what are known as “Chop Shops”. Chop Shops take these vehicles, disassemble them and sell them for parts, or worse, resell them on the black market. These thieves are professionals. For them, stealing a vehicle is a profession, so they are not looking to have fun, but rather to earn a lot of money with their vehicle.

Although most vehicles sold today are equipped with alarms, there are some precautions you can take to increase the security of your vehicles. Some precautions do not require money out of your pocket because they are simple common sense. That’s right, something as simple as using your best judgment can help deter a thief from trying to steal your car.

The first safety measure you should take is to always roll up your windows and lock your doors when you are not in your vehicle. As simple as it sounds, it is the most common mistake that results in your vehicle being stolen. Some people leave their vehicle running while entering a store. This provides the perfect opportunity for a thief to steal your vehicle. Be sure to roll up the windows and lock the doors every time you get out of your vehicle.

Have you ever considered keeping a spare key hidden in your vehicle in one of those magnetic key safes? If you answered yes, then you should reconsider. This gives thieves another perfect opportunity to steal your vehicle. If you must have a spare key, it is recommended that you keep it in your wallet.

How secure is your parking spot? When you park your vehicle, try to park in a busy, well-lit area. Thieves prefer to work where they are not seen. Also, when you park your vehicle, be sure to set the emergency brake when you park it. Doing this will make it difficult for a thief to tow your vehicle.

Although the police are constantly working to eradicate auto theft, they cannot do it alone. Doing things as simple as locking your car can help lower your stats. If you ever see someone tampering with your vehicle, call 911 immediately. This will speed up police response time and help get another thief off the streets.