When searching for a parking garage, choose well-lit parking spaces with security cameras. Lock your vehicle’s doors, hide valuables from view, and activate the alarm system before leaving. Here are seven tips to improve your vehicle’s security the next time you park it:
1. Choose Well-Lit Areas
Parking in bright parking lots and garages enhances your safety. Bright lights deter criminal activity by increasing visibility in covered parking spaces. Find parking facilities that use security lighting solutions to maintain coverage and illuminate the entire lot. Motion-activated floodlights and cameras can deter criminal activity around isolated areas. Bright lighting boosts visibility to help you identify any damage or other issues with your vehicle.
2. Lock Doors and Windows
Door locks act as barriers to unauthorized vehicle access in parking lots. Double-check that all doors are shut tight before leaving. Use remote key fob lock buttons to confirm the locked status from afar. Vehicle fobs can also remotely control various security features, such as locking the trunk and immobilizing the engine for safety. Roll up windows so no one can reach the inside of your car through the window. Using door and window locks helps discourage theft and makes it more difficult for break-ins to occur unnoticed.
3. Use Steering Wheel Locks
Steering wheel locks provide an additional layer of security while you are away from your vehicle. These high-strength metal bars attach to steering wheels to physically prevent them from turning. Even engaged ignition systems cannot override steering locks. You can discourage vehicle theft in parking lots by making your steering wheel temporarily inoperable. Some steering wheel lock models integrate alarm features that activate loud alerts if they are tampered with.
4. Conceal Your Valuables
If you store valuable items within your parked vehicle, keep them out of sight when parking. Remove electronics, purses, and bags from plain view to deter “smash-and-grab” thieves. Use enclosed center consoles and glove boxes to conceal documents and smaller items. Tinting your windows also limits interior visibility while maximizing daylight perception.
5. Set Your Alarm System
Activate car alarm systems each time you leave your vehicle parked. Noisy alarms draw attention to unauthorized attempts to enter vehicles. Some auto alarms emit loud sirens if vehicles detect locked door openings or impacts. Some models also send alerts of break-in attempts to owners’ smartphones. After locking your doors, press key fob buttons to engage anti-theft features. Some parking garages have on-site security staff who inspect vehicles when alarms are activated to confirm their safety.
6. Assess Security Measures
Security measures like cameras deter vehicle theft and crime in parking garages. Before entering a parking garage, determine whether there are security cameras within the building. Look for posted signs indicating monitored areas. Visible surveillance serves as a deterrent against vehicle break-ins. Confirm whether garage staff members patrol lots for criminal activity. Parking spaces with gates and monitored entries improve the safety of you and your vehicle. These access control security features help limit who enters the parking area.
7. Search for Covered Parking Spaces
Use covered parking areas instead of street parking to protect your car from weather elements and traffic hazards. Some garages offer monthly passes, so you have access to covered parking at all times. This gives you somewhere to park during work, community events, and evening plans.
Find a Reliable Parking Garage
When searching for a parking space, seek well-lit spots and parking facilities with security cameras, gated access, and frequent patrols. Garages with access control features limit vehicle entry to authorized drivers. Before leaving your car in a garage, check that your locks are engaged, alarm systems are activated, and valuables are concealed. Contact a parking garage today to learn more about their passes and security measures.
