Did you know that the top two months for vehicle thefts are July and August? According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), up to 40-50% of vehicle thefts are associated with

driver error like leaving keys in the vehicle and leaving doors unlocked.

We rely heavily on our cars to get us from point A to point B. And often, they’re an indispensable part of our lives. So it makes sense to do everything possible to reduce these preventable errors. To help lower your chances of vehicle theft or break-in, we’ve gathered some tips from NHTSA and the Minneapolis Police Department.

Here are common sense tips from NHTSA when parking and exiting your vehicle:

» Take your key; don't leave it in or on your vehicle.
» Close and lock all windows and doors when you park.
» Park in well-lit areas - in a garage, if possible.
» Never leave valuables in your vehicle, and specially in sight.

The Minneapolis Police Department also offers tips on how to protect your vehicle and valuables:

» Don’t leave valuables in your car. Even small items such as loose change can be tempting to a thief.
» If you must leave valuables in your car, lock them in the trunk before reaching your destination.
» Lock your car doors and close your windows.
» Never leave your car running unattended.
» Don’t hide keys in your vehicle.
» Park in a garage or a well-lit area.
» Consider installing a car alarm or an anti-theft device such as a steering wheel bar lock, an engine disabler switch, etc.
» If you have an after-market stereo, take it with you when you leave the car.
» Be aware of identification theft if items stolen contain personal information.
» Keep an updated record of all valuables in your car.

Here are a few shocking statistics about vehicle theft:

infographic: NHTSA via safercar.gov/theft

image: Kafziel via Wikimedia; licensed under CC-BY-SA