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This holiday season, we are urging all Texans to hide their belongings, lock
their cars and take their keys. Every two and a half minutes in Texas,
another vehicle is broken into and the contents stolen. Auto burglars are
especially watchful of cars filled with holiday gifts and other valuables left
in plain sight. They not only take peoples' valuable items, but use personal information to steal identities.
Seasonal Safety Tips
Equally shocking is the fact that about half the nearly 100,000 vehicles
stolen in Texas last year had the driver’s keys left in them. Here are a few
safety tips to remember this holiday season:
- Never leave your purse, wallet or keys in your unattended vehicle.
- Remember, it is against the law (Transportation Code
Chapter 545.404) to
leave your keys in your vehicle while it’s running and unattended.
- Always hide your belongings from sight, including
CDs, briefcases, address books, mobile electronics, toys, shopping bags and
clothes.
- Do not keep in your car your vehicle registration receipt, insurance certificate,
mail or other items that have your name, address and personal information on
them. Auto burglars can use this information to burglarize
your home.
- Avoid leaving the garage door opener visible in your car. It may
be used by the burglar to gain entry to your home.
- Always close the windows and lock your vehicle, even if leaving it
unattended for a quick trip into the convenience store.
Campaign Ads
This season's holiday campaign ads include:
For more tips on how you can prevent auto burglary and theft, call
(800) CAR-WATCH. |
