Keeping your car safe off-campus

Don't let this happen to you!

 This morning when I stepped outside to go to work, I noticed that a car across the alleyway had been broken into. The rear window was smashed and wires from the stereo system were hanging out from the gaping hole where the window used to be. Broken glass was scattered everywhere. I feel awful for my neighbor (even though I’ve never met them), and now I’m terrified that something like this could happen to me! So I looked up some tips for protecting your car from theft:

            Do’s:

1.     Remove all documents from you car that contain your name, address, or other personal information. With this information, a thief could set up an account in your name and not only steal your stereo, but also your identity.

2.     Roll up your windows and close your sunroof (as if I’m cool enough to have one) whenever you park your car.

3.     Try to park in a well-lit area.

4.     In terms of safety, a locked garage is safer than a driveway, but a driveway is safer than the street. Apparently the most unsafe of all is an alleyway, but they are usually reserved for people who have passes to park there. Unfortunately for OSU students, parking in a garage costs a small fortune, but street parking is free in a lot of places. If you choose to park in the street, make sure to check your car often to make sure it’s safe.

5.     Using visible theft deterrents, like car alarms and The Club, is often very effective, but nothing beats just locking your doors! Unfortunately for my neighbor, The Club doesn’t really stop a thief from smashing your windshield and stealing your stuff.

Don’t’s (doesn’t that look weird?):

1.     Don’t hide a spare key in your car. Thieves know where to look to find them. It makes more sense to keep a spare key in your possession. Don’t you usually only need a spare key if you lock your keys in your car?

2.     Don’t store your vehicle registration in your glove compartment. This would count as a document with “personal information” on it.

3.     Don’t leave valuables sitting on the seats. I imagine that my neighbor had some pretty sweet speakers and that’s what the thief was after. Luckily for me, my speakers are about 15 years old and worth nothing, and my seats only have a Reds jersey and a pair of ugly flats sitting on them.

These are all pretty much no-brainers, but if it helps someone to protect their car, that’s great!

Source: http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/vehicle-protection.html