Parking and Car Safety Tips for Apartment Dwellers

Parking and car safety are two of the more serious issues you have to consider when living in an apartment. One of the downfalls to apartment living, as opposed to living in a house, is not having a garage attached or in close proximity to your living space. While parking your car in a personal garage doesn’t ensure nothing will happen to it, like a break in, garages certainly lessen the chance of something happening to your vehicle. Here are some parking and car safety tips to consider while you’re living in an apartment.

Lock Your Doors and Roll Up Your Windows

It may seem completely obvious, but it’s amazing what people will do when they feel comfortable. Don’t let your guard down just because you know your neighbors and live in an upscale complex. Most bad things happen when you put too much trust and faith in other people. Ditch the “that will never happen to me” mentality.

Keep Your Valuables Hidden

If you’re leaving your car parked in a lot or garage, you should always keep valuables hidden. Thieves are generally looking for easy targets. If you have a fancy GPS system or CD player, hide those things in the glove box while the car is parked. Don’t leave things like purses or small electronics (like laptop computers and iPods) in plain sight on your car seat. Your best bet is to take all valuables into your apartment when you leave your car; the next best thing is to hide them securely in the trunk, glove box or under a seat. An ounce of prevention goes a long way. Don’t give anyone looking for trouble any reason to come near your car.

Think About Where You Park

Especially in a case where you have to parallel park along the street, think strategically about where you park your car every night. Parking along a moderately busy road that allows for extra space for on-street parking is your best bet. You’re less likely to experience a break-in along a busier road and also not as likely to have your vehicle side-swiped in the middle of the night if you leave your car on a street that allots extra space for curbside parking. Parking on unlit streets or in alleys is not the smartest decision. Neither is parking on narrow, highly trafficked streets. The potential for your car to be broken into or damaged in a hit and run increases in these situations.

When parking curbside, keep in mind these three things: well lit area, plenty of space between the side of your car and the adjacent driving lane, and visible area that would put a thief in plain sight.

Call the Cops Right Away

If someone breaks into your vehicle or it is vandalized, be sure to call the cops right away. The sooner you call, the better the chance they’ll have of tracking the perpetrator down. You’ll also need the police report for any insurance claim you make.

Generally, common sense is your best defense against car damage or theft. The simplest things, like locking your doors, are often the most powerful.

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Rachael Weiner: I’m a communications professional for a non-profit, which financially necessitates my status as an apartment dweller. Constantly “on-the-go,” I’ve resided in five different apartments across the United States over the past five years. Roommate issues, budgeting, organizing and handling problem neighbors are my specialty.