Flashy Lifestyles Can Attract Burglars, Car Thieves

It is human nature to want to have nice things, and in most instances high quality purchases are a good choice because they last a long time and retain their resale value.  There is nothing wrong with working hard for your success and enjoying the rewards of your labors.  However, there are people out there who are in the business of taking what is not theirs, so we all have to be careful and make intelligent choices if we are going to prevent home burglaries and auto theft.

As a Dallas locksmith I do a lot of work around the homes of people who want to make sure that their property is safe and secure, and it is indeed essential for every homeowner to have the proper security hardware in place.  There is nothing more aggravating than reading about a family losing tens of thousands of dollars worth of one-of-a-kind items that had sentimental value because they had forty-year-old locks on their doors.  But, locksmiths can only do part of the job.  Homeowners need to do what they can to prevent break-ins as well, and a lot of this involves using simple common sense.

The theft prevention topic that I want to highlight today is the way that you choose to present yourself to the public.  Thieves as a rule do not want to waste their time robbing someone who has nothing of any value.  When you look at the car that is stolen most frequently, it is not the 1975 AMC Gremlin.  In fact, the car that is the most frequent target of thieves is perhaps the most eye catching and ostentatious car on the road: the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

This is my point.  The more over-the-top you are in telling the world that you have a lot of stuff that is worth a lot of money, the more likely it is that you will be targeted by thieves or burglars.  When you are wearing tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry when you are out and about, you are making a particular statement.  It may look nice and make you feel good to wear it, but it also makes you a target for thieves.  When you are very excessive about drawing attention to yourself through the flaunting of expensive things you put yourself at risk.

Each individual’s lifestyle is their own business, but as a local Dallas locksmith I see the world through the lens of theft prevention.  I always try to share home security tips with my customers, and though it may not be fair, it is a good idea to try to be discreet in the way that you present yourself to the general public.  There is a way to enjoy nice things without drawing the undue attention of the criminal element, and it is best to try to strike that balance and stay under the radar of thieves.

24/7 Locksmith Services is the Dallas locksmith company that specializes in automotive, commercial, and residential security.  Call us at 1-866-450-0383 for estimates or to make an appointment.

Dallas Locksmith Auto Anti-Theft Tips

As a Dallas locksmith I deal with a lot if different vehicles that are equipped with a number of modern anti-theft systems. Technologies for preventing auto theft have come a long way over the years, and it is getting increasingly harder for thieves to break into our vehicles. And even if they can, since automobile manufacturers have started to install quality stereos at the factory, there is less of an incentive to try to get into your car unless they want to steal the vehicle itself.

As one of the leading full service automotive locksmiths in Dallas TX, we do service and install a host of anti-theft products like smart key systems and automotive alarms, and these are very effective ways to protect your car of truck from thieves. But there is something to be said for using good old fashioned common sense when you are going about your business. With that in mind, we would like to pass along a few tips to keep in mind so that you minimize your risk of auto theft.

Never Leave Your Keys in Your Ignition

There is never a good reason to keep your keys in your ignition when you are not in the car. Even if you are just going to be gone for a minute, that is all it takes for someone who has watched you to jump behind the wheel and leave you waving bye-bye to your car. Leaving your keys in your car is also a good way to lock yourself out, so just don’t do it. Ever.

Park in Well Lit, Open Areas

This is rather self explanatory, but it might be a good idea to walk a little further if necessary to make sure that your car is out in the open and under some lighting. If you can squeeze in that last space under the tree between the dumpster and the high fence…don’t.

Lock Your Doors and Close Your Windows

It can be tempting to leave your doors unlocked while you dash into a store, but this is very risky. When you do it once, you will very likely make a habit of it, and the more times you leave your car unlocked, the more likely a theft becomes statistically. Also, make sure your windows are up when you lock your car–a back window can be easily forgotten.

Don’t Leave Anything Tempting in Plain Sight

If you leave things of value in plain sight in your vehicle, you are asking for a break-in. Things like sunglasses, CDs, and briefcases should be kept out of sight or not in the car at all. Another thing to consider is items that are not valuable, but may look that way to a thief who is peering through the window. (Like a piece of mail that is designed to look like a check.)

Those are just a handful of things to consider to prevent auto theft. If you let your guard down, even once, you are putting yourself at risk. If you do the little things consistently, you will never be an easy target for auto thieves.

When you need a locksmith in Dallas for your home, car, or business, call Dallas Locksmith Services at 1-866-450-0383 and leave the rest to us.