7 Ways to Keep Your Car Safe on a Trip

This post is brought to you by Ted Britt Chevrolet.

When you’re away from home and out on the open road for a much needed holiday, your car is your home away from home.  It’s the place you’re seated to and from your destination, it’s the place you’ll eat a few meals, hide belongings, and occasionally use to escape the elements.  Read on for seven tips to help you keep your car and valuables safe while traveling.

7 Ways to Keep Your Car Safe on a Trip

 

1. Hide Everything Before You Arrive

This is a tip that my family has instilled in me since I was small.  Always, always, always hide all of your valuables before you arrive in the parking lot. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen a woman get out of the car and put her purse in the backseat or in the trunk.  It’s not safe.  Doing that just shows everyone who’s around to see exactly where to find your valuables.  Lock them in the truck or other safe hiding place prior to exiting the vehicle.

2. Unload Your Valuables Away From Your Parking Spot

On a similar note, if you plan on using the same parking area over a span of a couple days don’t retrieve your valuables from your car the moment you return to it.  If you open the trunk every time you go to your car someone may take notice.  If possible, pull into another location away from your parking spot to gather your valuables again.

3. Choose a Good Parking Spot

What makes a good parking spot a good parking spot?  Visibility.  It’s simple; out of sight is out of safety.  Try to always park in a well lit, busy spot, that is within sight of a lot of eyes.  I’ve always hear to park with your trunk facing out to make it harder for thieves to break into your trunk unseen.

4. Remove Tempting Items

Remove or lock up any tempting items from your car.  This may include but is not limited to a GPS unit, cell phone or accessories, MP3 Player, a bag that may look like it holds valuables (even if it’s an old purse your kid uses for dress up or a make up bag, etc.), and on and on.  I’ve had a few friends tell me that their cars have been broken into for the change in the cup holder.  Don’t risk it, put away any items of potential value.

5. Park Your Car Yourself

Most parking attendants and valets are perfectly safe.  However, if you make it easy for someone to steal something valuable from your car they just might.  I’ve had a car wash attendant steal a bottle of cologne from the car.  If you use a valet, keep valuables out of sight.

6. Keep It Neat

Your car that is.  I don’t know if it’s true or not but I’ve always been told from my family that a neat car is less likely to be robbed.  It makes sense though.  If you can only see the car seats you don’t assume there’s more in there but a car with a lot of McDonalds wrappers, coats, and device cords laying loose you may wonder what’s hiding under them and what’s connected to those cords.

7. Check Your Valuables

Hopefully, you’ll follow the rules above and won’t store anything in your car that you value….however, if you don’t do that double check your valuables soon after returning to your car.  Don’t trust that your laptop is in your laptop bag just because you see the bag.  Sometimes thieves will leave the bag and take the goodies.

There you have it!  I hope these tips will help keep your valuables safe as you hit the open road this year!