Safe in 60: How to prevent your car from getting stolen

Did you know that we receive about 2,000 reports of stolen vehicles every year in Salt Lake City alone?

Of those five vehicles that are stolen each day, most of them can be prevented by taking some simple precautions:

• Always lock your vehicle, even while driving or just running into the convenience store
• No matter how cold it is, never, I mean never leave your car running while unattended
• Always have your keys with you, try and avoid having a hide-a-key. Everyone knows where those are hidden
• Don’t tempt criminals with valuables inside the car. A lot of vehicle thefts start out as vehicle burglaries
• Consider using a physical anti-theft device. Make sure you use it all the time, we have recovered many vehicles where the device was in the car but not used.
• Park in a well-lit and well-traveled area if possible
• Consider a technology based GPS tools to help track and recover your vehicle
• Consider a hidden kill switch that has to be triggered before you start the car, these can be installed easily

Thieves are looking for that car that is quick and easy to steal, don’t make your car an appealing target for them.

Here are even more tips:

• Always lock your vehicle, even while driving or just running into the convenience store
• No matter how cold it is, never, I mean never leave your car running while unattended
• Always have your keys with you, try and avoid having a hide-a-key. Everyone knows where those are hidden. It is a convenient tool, but also very convenient for a car thief
• Check your manual, some manufacturers put a valet key in the manual and the owner doesn’t know it until the thief finds it
• Don’t tempt criminals with valuables inside the car. A lot of vehicle thefts start out as vehicle burglaries. Once the thief is inside, they may decide to go all the way and take the car too
• Consider using a mechanical anti-theft device. This is very effective, and also a visual deterrent. If a thief sees an anti-theft device on the steering wheel they are likely to move along. Make sure you use it all the time, we have recovered many vehicles where the device was in the car but not used.
• Park in a well-lit, well-traveled and areas with cameras if possible. Thieves are less likely to steal a car with witnesses or cameras around.
• Consider a technology based GPS or anti-theft system, these tools to help track and recover your vehicle quickly if it is stolen.
• Consider an ignition cut-off system to prevent the car from being started. This is a hidden kill switch that has to be triggered before you start the car. These can be installed fairly inexpensive at a car stereo shop. This switch kills the power between the battery and the starter until the switch is turned.
• Never leave your title inside the vehicle, leave it in a secure place at home.

If you drive a 90s – early 2000 model vehicle, consider having the lock tumblers changed, as they are worn down and can be unlocked by a shaved key. This includes the ignition key as well