While parking your vehicle outside your home might be a standard daily practice, it’s understandable to be worried about its safety when you leave it at home while you’re off traveling with your family and friends.
Not only do you have to stress about potential thieves when your car is left unattended, but also weather conditions and falling objects that might potentially damage your car, leaving dents and scratches. In order to avoid these circumstances and ensure the safety of your vehicle, here are some things you can do to keep your car secure while you’re on holiday:
Do a thorough check-up beforehand
Whether you are going on a road trip or simply driving to the airport, doing a thorough check-up of your vehicle before you hit the road is absolutely essential, as only a car in great working condition can ensure your safety on the road. Apart from changing the motor oil and making sure your batteries are fully charged, don’t forget to check your tires, and inflate them to the correct pressure if needed. If you’re driving to your destination, it would also be a good idea to carry a spare tire in your vehicle, to ensure you are covered in case of any mishaps or unforeseen circumstances on the road.
Keep your belongings hidden away
If you are leaving your car at home while going on vacation, make sure to clear your vehicle of all personal belongings and any other items that might potentially attract the attention of a thief, and then lock them away securely in your home. When on the road, try not to overpack your car with luggage and other personal items. Not only can you risk an overflow of stuff into the seating area, creating a safety hazard, but you will also make it much easier for potential thieves to see through the window that your car belongs to a traveler when it’s parked at your destination. Don’t let clutter make you an easy target.
Choose short-term vehicle storage
Don’t leave your car out in the open, unless it’s absolutely necessary. Instead, it would be a much safer option to pay to leave your car in an enclosed parking lot or garage for the duration of your trip, preferably one with parking attendants that keep an eye on every vehicle parked there. From airport parking facilities to big city garages, there are a number of options you can choose from to ensure your vehicle’s safety while you’re away. However, if none of these options suit you, you can also leave your car in your own garage if possible, as long as you ensure your garage door is completely secure.
Keep your car covered up at all times
Whether you decide to leave your car at the airport parking lot, in your own garage, or even parked outside your home, it always pays to put a quality car cover over your vehicle to ensure its safety. As long as you choose an appropriate, weather-proof cover, it can protect your vehicle from a wide number of environmental factors, from the sun and the accumulation of dust to rain and even hail. What’s more, car covers are incredibly efficient at deterring potential thieves and vandals. Not only do these covers take time and effort to remove, which is something criminals can’t usually afford to risk, but they also keep any personal belongings you might have left in your car hidden away, making your vehicle less likely to be burgled or stolen.
Install additional security measures
Most modern cars come with standard safety features already built-in, such as a security alarm or an engine immobilizer. However, equipping your vehicle with additional security measures can make it far more difficult to steal your car, ultimately making it a less likely target for potential criminals. For instance, you can install a simple steering wheel lock that will make your vehicle that much harder to drive away, or even fit a GPS tracker inside of your car that will allow you or the police to quickly and easily track down your vehicle in case of theft.
Make sure to secure your home
If you’ve decided to leave your car in your garage or to park it in front of your home, one of the best things you can do is make sure your home is secured, and make it seem as if it’s occupied, even when it’s empty. For example, you can set timers on your indoor lights to turn on at irregular intervals and install motion sensor exterior lighting that can scare off potential burglars. It would also be a great idea to install a security alarm, as well as a home CCTV system that can help you monitor your home from afar, or even allow you to catch the criminal in case of a break-in.
The last thing any of us want is to come back home from a relaxing family vacation only to find out our car has been vandalized or stolen. Fortunately, such a scenario can easily be avoided with these simple yet incredibly efficient tips that will ensure the safety of your vehicle.
