Security
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
Leave a note with your name and phone number in your coat's side pocket.
Finders or thieves with a change of heart can contact you to return the coat.
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Remove the fuel pump fuse to prevent the engine from receiving fuel if someone attempts to hotwire the car.
Without fuel, the engine cannot run even if hotwired.
- A thief could potentially take a fuse from another location in the vehicle and replace it.
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Watch the garage door close completely before turning your back.
Thieves count on you going through the motions with your back turned.
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Place decoy lockboxes with useless keys around your house to deter thieves.
- Hide the real key separately, such as under a paver near a shed.
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Keep the removed fuel pump fuse in your wallet or glovebox rather than leaving it in the car.
Thieves typically want to leave quickly and are unlikely to search for loose fuses.
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Avoid keypad locks with physical numbers printed on the buttons.
Finger acid rubs off the numbers and wear patterns reveal which buttons are used, essentially showing the code to everyone.
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Install a personal dash cam with motion detection to record incidents involving your car.
It provides a chance to see events clearly and get information needed for police and insurance reports.
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Try opening the safe or lock without turning the dial first, in case it is already unlocked.
It avoids unnecessary effort if the door is already open.
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