5 Tips for Keeping your Vehicle Safe in the Suburbs

We all know that cars are a big target for thieves, but many of us still labour under the illusion that "it can't happen to me." This can be especially true of suburban homeowners, who often feel far removed from the dangers of Sydney or other urban areas. However, all it takes is a clever thief and a seemingly-minor oversight on your part to change your outlook on car safety for the worse. Instead of becoming a victim, you can minimise your chances of being vandalised or stolen from by following all or any of the following tips:

1.  Don't park your car on the street! - The thing is, people who commit crimes want the least chance of being caught in the act. The further your car is away from the house, the less likely that you will notice something going on and the more attractive it becomes to thieves. The road provides proximity and easier access for everything from keying your car to hotwiring it (not to mention an easier getaway when driving). Park your car as far up the driveway or yard as possible, and as close to the house as you can. 
2. Install lights on your carport or outside your home - One of the best ways to deter criminals is to make them think that they are being watched. A dark, shadowy area offers a great deal of cover for whatever the thief is trying to accomplish; whereas, lighting the place that your car resides will keep them guessing about whether or not you can see them. Motion-activated lights are especially good, as they may startle a person enough to get them to leave. 
3. Lock the doors and close the windows - This may sound obvious, but it's amazing how many people forget to lock their cars up. Some people even mistakenly think that because they are in a generally good neighbourhood, it's OK to leave the doors unlocked. WRONG! Thieves sometimes target suburban areas for that exact reason. And aside from the fact that closing the windows avoids the whole thunderstorm, wet seats thing, it also means that vandals will have a harder time breaking in. 
   
4. Take valuables out of the car or hide them - So, you left that big bag of boutique shoes or expensive electronics clearly labelled in your front seat and you're wondering why someone broke your window? Remember, your car should never function as a window shopping opportunity with an option to walk in (read: steal). When parking your car for the night, make sure to take your iPod with you, stow your GPS where it can't be seen (glove compartment or centre console), and avoid leaving CDs lying around, etc. If you are shopping, make sure to place all bags in the trunk and not in the backseat, and bring them into the house when you get home. 
5. Get the Club and a car alarm - Since you can't necessarily rely on the lights on your carport to wake you up, it's important to have some protections on the car itself. Two of the best are the Club and a car alarm. Now, we all know how loud and annoying car alarms can be -- the number that have accidentally gone off at the supermarket alone is enough to put you off them forever -- but if they keep your car from being stolen even once, you will swear by them forever. The Club renders your steering wheel immobile and keeps your car from being taken, even if a thief manages to successfully hotwire the car.