Keeping your car safe at night is easier than you might think. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and secure while your car is parked during the night.
Tinted windows are one of the first lines of defense against thieves, as they make it impossible for people to see inside your vehicle. If you have tinted windows, use them! If not, consider tinting your windows to help add an extra layer of protection.
GPS devices and security systems are great options for keeping your vehicle safe at night. If you don’t already have one, consider adding GPS devices or security systems to your car. You can also opt for car interior LED lights in Australia that will make it harder for thieves to see inside your vehicle.
Remove all valuables from your vehicle. Avoid leaving anything in sight that would tempt a thief, including loose change, purses, laptops and even garage door openers. If a thief sees even a few dollars in change on the dashboard, they may be tempted to break in and look for more money and valuables inside the glove compartment or trunk. When possible, keep these items locked inside your home instead of leaving them in your car overnight.
It’s a sad fact of life, but car break-ins are a common part of city life. It can be hard to stay vigilant and on top of your car, especially at night. Here are some tips for protecting your car from nighttime theft:
Parking lights on
Parking lights help you be seen and make it less likely that someone will break into your car, especially if you park in a well-lit area. It also deters thieves from breaking into your car at night by making it more visible to passersby.
Lock your doors
Don’t ever leave your car unlocked at night, even if you’re only going in for a moment. If you must open the door, always use the lock, even if it’s just for a few seconds. A lot of criminals watch people unlock their doors and then strike when they go back inside.
Park in well-lit areas
It’s better to park near streetlights or lights that come from businesses nearby than in dark areas with no lighting. The brighter the area is around you, the less likely someone is to break into your car.
Lock it up
Always lock your car doors, even if you just plan to be gone for a few minutes. More than half of car burglaries happen when the vehicle is left unattended and unsecure. If you have a garage, try to park your car in it at night and keep the garage door closed.
The hoodie solution
If you have to leave your car out in the open (for example, if you’re stopped at a drive-through or waiting for valet), keep a sweatshirt or jacket in the front seat and throw it over the steering wheel to make it look like someone is still driving. This deters would-be thieves who prefer easy targets over potentially dangerous confrontations.
Don’t tempt thieves
Don’t leave anything in plain sight that might tempt thieves. That includes purses, electronics and even shopping bags or groceries — anything that might entice a passerby to break into your car and grab whatever’s inside.
Keep it in the garage
Don’t leave your car unlocked and unattended near the house or office. If you have to leave it somewhere, make sure it’s locked and don’t leave any valuables in plain sight. If you have a garage, park your car inside every night. This will protect it from the elements and reduce the risk of vandalism.
Park in well-lit areas
Avoid parking in areas where you’ll be alone at night, like secluded parking garages or near dark alleys and side streets. If possible, park close to a well-lit building with security cameras, if available.
Install an alarm system
Installing an alarm system on your vehicle can deter thieves. They’re often easier to replace than your actual car, so they can be a low-cost deterrent that has some additional benefits as well (like alerting you to fire and carbon monoxide leaks).
Keep your eyes moving as you drive.
It’s easy to get tunnel vision when driving at night, but don’t let that happen to you. Make sure that you look around often enough so that no one sneaks up behind you unexpectedly and startle you with a bright headlight flash or a honk of their horn just as they pass you by.