It's one of
those things that you hear about on the news, you're aware is a
distinct possibility, and yet you never think it could happen to you:
leaving that last store after a long day of shopping to find that
your car window has been broken in, and all your Christmas gifts
stolen. Leaving your spouse's gift in the trunk, not wanting them to
see it on your way into the house, only to find that it's gone the
next morning.
The holidays
should be a time for generosity, but unfortunately, we don't live in
a perfect world and burglars know that this is the best time of year
to loot vehicles. "Better safe than sorry," they always
say, and there's never been a better time to make that your mantra.
So, if you've no choice but to leave some gifts in your car –
whether for a quick trip into the grocery store or for a few days
until you can sneak them inside – it's a good idea to revisit ways
to keep your vehicle secure.
Don't Shop
Alone
If you know
you're going to be getting a lot
of shopping done one day, bring a helper. A lot of people will leave
the mall to drop off some of their purchases since they're too much
to carry around; then, they'll re-enter the mall and return to
shopping. You never know when a potential thief is watching, so it's
best to keep whatever you buy with you until the end of the day.
Consolidate bags and take advantage of mall shopping carts. If you
don't have another option, then move your car to a different parking
spot after your first trip.
Lock your
Doors – And Make Sure they Work!
If you're in
the habit of leaving your car doors unlocked because you're not
normally the type to leave valuables inside, get into the habit of
locking your doors now. And, of course, make sure that all the locks
work.
Keep Gifts
Covered
It sounds
like common sense, but many shoppers in their haste forget to do it.
Don't leave any bags out in the open on the back seat; instead, cover
them completely with a blanket, or put them in the trunk. Don't give
burglars an incentive for smashing in your window!
Park in a
Well-Lit Area
Malls and
stores are open late during the holiday seasons, and you might want
to take advantage of those after-work hours. If you do, park directly
under a streetlight and don't linger until closing. If you're
directly under a lamp, a burglar would be easier to identify, and
this may deter them. Also, if you arrive at the mall while it's
crowded, but leave when the crowd is thinning out, your car may end
up parked alone in the back of a lot, making it the perfect target.
As your South
Jersey car dealership, we just want you to have a safe, happy,
and incident-free holiday. You can never be too cautious, and the
holidays are the worst time of year to fall victim to burglary, so be
mindful when shopping this holiday season!