Most of us associate the 4^th of July with parades, fireworks, BBQs, and American flags. But according to a recent article from AOL Autos, Independence Day also marks the start of a busy season for automobile thieves.  We want to remind you to you that thieves get busy during the summer months, especially July and August, which are the two hottest months for auto theft. As a matter of prevention, LoJack Corporation, which makes aftermarket security systems and vehicle tracking devices, and the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators have launched a campaign aimed at educating car owners of the constant danger of car theft, calling it National Vehicle Theft Protection Month.

The point of this information is not to produce fear in our clients but rather provide one more way for you to protect your vehicles. We take pride in caring for your vehicle. Our auto repair shop  services vehicles through preventative maintenance  as well as fixing other common problems. But we cannot care for your vehicle if it is carjacked. Increased awareness is necessary during the summer, as the article explains. The statistics are startling, interesting, and may help you take better care of your vehicle in the long run.

For example, 79% of people think about car theft frequently, but 36% of people don’t take any action to prevent it. Remarkably, 68% of people admit to leaving their car running while they aren’t in it or parking it and leaving it unlocked.  For those not thinking about car theft, they probably fall into the next statistic – 64% of people have their actual home address programmed into their car’s GPS and 32% of people have left an electronic device or documents with their personal information visible in their car. Furthermore, in 2010, a car was stolen every 42.8 seconds. There were a total of 737,000 car thefts and only a 56.1% recovery rate, resulting in $4.5 billion in losses for American car owners. Does your car fall on the Top 5 list? The most frequently stolen vehicles are very common/plain ones. Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 are the top five.

We also want to provide you with some preventative measures to lower your risk of being a victim of automobile theft.

• In an unfamiliar neighborhood, take a cab both to and from an event, rather than leaving your car at your destination and cabbing it home.
• Always park in a well-lit, populated area, such as a busy parking lot or secure garage. Not only is this safer for your car, but it is also safer for you walking to and from it. Suburban streets are a favorite of thieves.
• Double check that your doors are locked, windows are rolled up and never leave an extra key in or around your car.
• Do not store anything of value in your car, especially in open view.
• Think about installing a GPS-enabled device that can instantly track your car, if you’re one of the unlucky ones and your car is stolen. This could also help to reduce your insurance premiums.

Automotive theft risk can be reduced with these tips, as well as increased awareness. We care about your vehicle and want to keep our customers safe. Always think about keeping your vehicle safe, as well as the passengers, and visit our experienced technicians for more information on any of the topics discussed above. Independence Day should be about so much more than car theft.