SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – You may think nobody is watching, but car thieves will drive through neighborhoods looking for that easy-to-spot puff of exhaust as their telltale sign of an easy target.

Warm-up thefts are a big problem. Every year, hundreds of running vehicles are stolen in the Salt Lake Valley alone.

Remember: A locked door isn’t a deterrent. It only takes seconds for a thief to break a window and take your car or any valuables inside.

What if you have a push-start ignition? Most of those can still be driven without the sensor inside. Only a newer, remote-controlled ignition starter with anti-theft security measures prevents driving the vehicle without the key.

But your idling car will still attract thieves and you will likely end up with a broken window and stolen valuables.

Don’t warm up your car for someone else to enjoy at your expense. Put on the gloves, hat and heavy coat, grab that scraper, and head outside. It may be uncomfortable, but that’s nothing compared to the hassle of a stolen car.