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Better Safe than Sorry

AAA tips for keeping your vehicle safe

August and September are leading months for car theft, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic statistics.

AAA Mid-Atlantic staff
Richmond.com
Friday, September 15, 2006

August and September were the leading months for auto theft in Virginia in 2005, with more than 19 percent of thefts occurring during these two months. During this time, temperatures can still be high, so many of us become less vigilant about closing car windows and locking car doors, making our property attractive to thieves.

"If your car looks easy to break into or even steal – someone may do just that. It only takes a few precautions to help keep your car and your belongings safe," said Martha M. Meade, manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Last year, Virginia State Police reported more than 15,800 motor vehicle thefts. The greatest number of thefts occurred in the four-month period from July to October, accounting from more than 38 percent (or more than 6,100 vehicles) of reported thefts for the total year.

AAA Tips for Preventing Car Theft

1. Always lock up. It's important to always lock your vehicle even if you are only running a quick errand. AAA advises drivers to never:

Leave car windows open or doors unlocked
Leave the car running
Leave keys in the car
Leave stereo face attached
Park in dimly-lit or abandoned areas
Leave a convertible top down
Leave personal documents in the vehicle

2. Take care when parking. The most common places that car thieves frequent are:

Beach parking
Mall parking garages & lots
Mass transit lots
College parking lots
Car dealerships
Dimly lit city streets

3. Put valuables away. Don't leave valuables in a visible spot in the vehicle, put them in the trunk or better yet, take them with you. Most frequently stolen items from vehicles are:

iPods
GPS
satellite radios
radar detectors
audio equipment
cell phones
laptops
cameras
bulky shopping bags
DVDs
golf clubs
purses/wallets

4. Secure your car. To gain a peace of mind, drivers should invest in one of the following:

Wheel locking device like a club, J-bar, or collar
Alarm system
Fuel or power cut-off switches
VIN etching
Cars with ignition locks

The preceding article was compiled from a AAA Mid-Atlantic news release. AAA Mid-Atlantic serves 786,000 members in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a total of 3.6 million members in Washington, DC; Maryland; Virginia; Delaware; Pennsylvania; and New Jersey combined. It provides a wide range of automotive, personal insurance, travel, and financial services through its 50-plus retail branches, regional operations centers, and the Internet. For more information on AAA Mid-Atlantic, please visit our web site at www.aaamidatlantic.com.

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