Most cars are taken by amateurs who can be stopped fairly easily. You can increase

your protection against this type of crime by taking the following sensible precautions:

• An unlocked car is an open invitation to a car thief. Lock up when you leave your car,

and take the keys with you.

• Lock the trunk or tailgate.

• Close all windows — professional thieves have tools that unlock cars through the

smallest openings.

• Be sure vent or wind-wing windows are shut tight.

• When you park the car, remove cellular phones, cassette players and other valuable

possessions. Do not leave gift-wrapped packages or cameras lying on the seat. Lock

all valuables in your trunk or take them with you.

• Lock your car even if you are making a quick stop at the gas station, convenience store

or mini-mall.

• Don’t leave an auto in unattended public parking lots for an extended period. A car is

five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended lot than from the street or

attended lot.

• If possible, park your car in a lot where you don’t have to leave your keys.

• Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If the keys are lost or

stolen, the tag will lead the thief directly to your car and your home. If you have to leave

your keys with a parking attendant, leave only the ignition key.

• At night, park in well-lit areas with lots of people around.

• Turn wheels sharply toward the curb when parking, this makes it extra difficult for

thieves to tow your car.

• With an electric engraver, etch your driver’s license number (preceded by the letters

"CA") on cassette players and other valuable items.

• Record your vehicle identification number (located on a small metal plate on the

dashboard of newer cars) and store it in a safe place.

Keep the vehicle registration in your wallet or purse, not in your car.

• When buying a car, check the manufacturer’s list of anti-theft options, such as interior

hood and trunk releases, locking steering columns and others.

• Consider the purchase and installation of security devices, such as:

– Interior hood lock release.

– Second ignition switch or "kill switch" to prevent electrical current from reach

ing the coil distributor.

– Fuel switch to prevent fuel from reaching the carburetor.

– Locking gas cap.

– Locking devices for batteries, wheels, decks, etc.

– Alarm device to activate a siren, horn or lights – or all three – to frighten the thief

away.

– Device that attaches to the steering wheel or brake pedal.

This violent, random form of auto theft is on the rise. A driver of any vehicle can be a

target of someone with a weapon. It can happen anywhere, day or night. Here are some

precautions:

• Keep your doors locked.

• Park in well-lit, busy areas.

• Be alert of your surroundings, of people approaching your vehicle.

• Stick with the traffic, avoid lightly traveled streets, especially after dark.

• Keep car and house keys on separate key chains.

• Keep the garage door opener in your purse or briefcase.

• When stopped in traffic, always leave enough room to make an emergency getaway.

• If someone is threatening you with a weapon, give up the vehicle — it’s not worth

your life.

Thefts of snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats and trail-bikes are also increasing. Many of

the same precautions that apply to cars also apply to recreational vehicles.

• Make sure all easy-to-carry items like motors, water skis and camping gear are locked

up before leaving your vehicle.

• Vehicles carried on trailers should be secured with a strong chain and padlock.

• When the trailer is not attached to your car, secure it with a heavy chain and lock to a

stationary object.

• Chain your motorcycle or snowmobile to a stationary object such as a lamppost or

sewer grating. Even when your vehicle is in the garage, use a heavy chain and padlock

that resists conventional steel hacksaw blades.