A car break-in is bad enough when you’re home, but when you’re on a road trip, it can be an extra inconvenience because you keep so many things in your car while traveling. Here are three ways to prevent theft on a road trip.
If at all possible, don’t leave valuable in the car. When you do have to leave them, follow these tips to lower your risk of a break-in. Don’t just hide items under coats or towels. Thieves are well aware of this tactic, and it isn’t very difficult to see that items are concealed. Put items under the seat or in the trunk. Trunks can be broken into, but if the items are out of sight, a thief might pass by your vehicle.
Chargers for electronic devices are a good clue that there might be a smartphone or other device hidden in the car, so keep them hidden away as well.
When your car looks neat and empty, it’s more likely that thieves will skip it and look for a more promising vehicle that has piles of things like coats, blankets, and bags.
Try to put your items away before you arrive at a parking area. Thieves could be watching as you put your valuables out of sight, so it’s better if they’re already hidden.
Smart parking can help keep your car out of danger. One tip is to avoid any areas where you see broken glass on the ground. This is a dead giveaway that this may be a prime area for thieves to target. Sometimes it can just mean moving to a different part of the parking lot. There can be certain parking spots where thieves have the most cover for breaking into vehicles, due to trees or other obstacles blocking the view from the street. The other side of the parking lot might be safe because it’s in plain view. You might have to go farther to find a safer area.
Try to park in a well-lit area whenever possible. A spot right next to a light post is ideal.
Another way to make sure your vehicle stays safe is to park near the lot’s entrance or exit booth if it’s a place where you pay to park. Or park next to sidewalks, busy roads, or the windows of neighboring buildings.
It’s tempting to leave windows cracked on a hot day, but it’s not a good idea. If there’s a sunroof, make sure it is completely closed. Thieves can get in much more easily if you give them these openings, and dealing with an oven-like car on a hot day is a lot better than dealing with a break-in.
If your glove box has a lock, take advantage of this secure area to hide smaller valuables and important items.
Avoid giving thieves the opportunity to break into your vehicle by following smart strategies for keeping objects out of view, parking wisely, and always making sure the vehicle is completely secured.
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