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Seven ways to help keep your car where you parked it, with everything you left behind still there.
There are few people that could resist a nice shopping trip, or who could resist being pulled along for one. With a little common sense, you can avoid many potential pitfalls and return to your car where you left it.
- Lock your car and close your windows. You would be surprised how many cars are actually left unlocked, and thus make for easy pickings. Even in the summer, it is better to keep your windows shut, since it only takes a few minutes with them open to air out the car. The exception to this is if you insist on bringing your pet with you: they can easily overheat if you don't open the windows half-way to allow for fresh air.
- Park in a safe place: well-lit parking spots leave your car much more visible than a spot hidden away in a dark corner. The closer you park to pedestrian traffic, like the entrance to a mall, the more witnesses to scare someone off from trying to break in.
- Fee-based parking lots are considered safer, since they are usually video monitored and staffed, and valet parking is the safest option to leave your car.
- Know what you can leave in your car and what to take with you. Purses, briefcases and backpacks are tempting since they usually hold things of value, are very portable, and are usually generic enough that no one would think they are out of place walking away from your car, so bring them with you.
- Hide anything that you leave behind, either underneath one of the car seats or in the trunk. For most new models of vans and SUVs, you have the option of getting a trunk guard or shield that blocks off the rear of the last row of seats back to the rear door. This makes for an excellent hiding spot for even larger shopping trips.
- Use a theft deterrence device, like a steering wheel locking device, or a car alarm with the stickers or decals on your driver's side window. One advantage of newer cars is that they usually have a basic theft system on the car stereo which locks the stereo preventing it from operating if the battery has been disconnected - a flashing LED indicating this can be mistaken for a more expensive alarm system, which can still scare off a thief who is looking for an easier target.
- When you are ready to leave for the day, keep an eye open and watch your car as you approach for anyone hanging around. Have your car keys ready, glance in the rear seats before you jump in, and then lock the door once you are in the car. Return to the mall if you see something suspicious.
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