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Health & Fitness

Gone In 60 Seconds

Car theft and burglary on the rise. How to keep your car safe.

Just like the movie Gone In 60 Seconds, according to the FBI, a car is stolen in the United States every 40 seconds.

Using the FBI's average valuation of $6,505 per stolen vehicle, the 794,616 vehicles stolen in 2009 caused estimated property losses of $5.2 billion

Only 12.4 percent of thefts were cleared, either by arrests or by exceptional means, in 2009.

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Although cars have become more secure with items like “ON-Star” “Lo-Jack” and computer coded keys, the items in your car are easy targets.  It’s still a good idea to take a few extra precautions to prevent large out-of-pocket expenses and inconveniences.  

Keep Your Car Secure

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There are many reasons thieves would want to break into your vehicle.  Items like radios, MP3 players, GPS systems, money and personal items are just a few of them.  Making sure your vehicle is secure is the only way to protect against a break-in.

The best way to prevent someone from breaking into your car is to make sure all of your belongings are out of sight.  If the items are not visible through the glass, then it is likely someone will not be tempted to break in. 

Another deterrent is the use of a security system.  A car alarm is a great tool to have installed on your vehicle since it will activate if anyone tries to break in.  Tinting your windows is another way to protect against theft.  If someone is unable to see into your car, they will think twice about breaking in.

Taking the necessary precautions to ensure that your personal belongings and electronics are safely stowed can reduce the risk of a break in. 

 

 

 

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