Tips: Cool Down Auto Thieves During Summer

  • Jul 12, 2007

H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) warns that warm weather in summer months can lead to carelessness among car owners, providing thieves with easy access to personal property and vehicles.

"While the summer months mean vacations and cook-outs with family and friends, they also bring car thieves looking to steal exposed property and vehicles," said Terri Miller, director of H.E.A.T. "It is important that people keep their guard high by rolling up their windows, locking their doors and putting car tops up, even when running a quick errand."

Tips on keeping your car and belongings safe during warm weather:

  • Closed Not Cracked -- Close windows tightly, don't even leave them "cracked" and always lock your car when your vehicle is unattended.
  • Out of Sight -- Keep all personal belongings; including iPods, cell phones and other valuables out of sight.
  • Lock Your Top -- Close and lock convertible car tops.
  • Kill-Switch -- Protect your vehicle from being started by a thief by having a mechanic install a concealed kill-switch.
  • Double Duty -- Add a second layer of protection to your vehicle by using a steering wheel locking device, a steering column protector or an alarm with a visible flasher.
  • VIN -- 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.

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