Never Leave Your Keys In Your Car Ignition
APD or Albuquerque Police Department has reminded us never leave keys in the car ignition. Seems like common sense right? On cold mornings last year the APD reports that 100 cars were stolen within the city after owners left then on to warm up in the driveway. Don’t be an easy target for thieves this winter. Never leave your keys the ignition, and never leave you running vehicle unattended.
John, this is a no brainer....my nephew has a car that he can start from inside the house and the car is locked. Forget what kind of car he has.
John, one of the things I like about my SUV is that I can leave it running and locked with the engine remote control in my pocket when showing homes during the summer months here in the Valley of the Sun. Have a great day neighbor.
John - It's the same here. People start their cars in the driveway to warm them up then go back in the house. When they come out the car is gone. It happens every winter and ever winter the local police issue warnings like the APD did. I guess everyone thinks it won't happen to them.
OK...here's my slam....you guys leave the car running to keep it warm in Albuquerque? Really? Everyone does that up here. What's your definition of cold enough to keep the car running in NM?
And we've had a few up here in the Seattle area where the car was warming up and locked. They just smashed the drivers window, jumped in, and took off! Why tempt a thief!? Fortunately it has been a mild winter so far and not so cold your rationality freezes. Though I do have an alarm system that'll stop the car and alert the police automatically... I'd rather be cold for a few minutes instead of the hassle spending the day dealing with police reports and repairs...
In Charleston, SC, it's not the winter that real estate agents keep the car on...it's the summers. Keeping the car cool sure helps to keep clients happy when you're running to see 15 homes on an afternoon...I'll admit I do this but keep the car locked and access it through my keypad on the door...
Thanks for dropping by today and taking time to leave your comment.
Actually Albuquerque's high altitude (the other mile high city) makes our nights and early morning quiet chilly. Just this morning it was 24° and it has been down in the teens the past week. Burrrr... Cold enough to desire a warm car.
I must admit I just jump in cold and go figuring I'll thaw out when the heater warms up. I'd rather be safe than sorry and become another statistic for the APD to be reporting about.
Be safe out there and don't become a victim of car theft.
John,
My wife broke me of that habit 15 years ago. It only takes one crook to walk by.
We don't have to worry too much about warming up the cars here in the Houston area. Rarely does it get cold enough to frost up the windshield. But, that's good advice for people in colder climates!
There is no cure for stupid. I have a referraal partner that seller automatic car starters. Over the years we have referred a lot of business to one another. This is a much better solution and source of future business.
John, I'm surprised that we actually have to remind people not to leave their keys in the car...especially when it's running.
It is tempting to warm up the car on those frigid cold days but better safe than sorry.
John - A great reminder for those that have been warming up their cars in the morning to not leave them unattended!
John: This reminds me of a time perhaps thirty years ago during a nasty snowstorm in Cleveland, when just before I left home in the morning, I quickly ran out to my car in the driveway and turned on the ignition, and the heater, for it to warm up for me when I was ready to leave.
As often happens, I got distracted inside, and only remembered that my car was running about two hours later. I rushed outside to leave for work... and found that my car had run out of gas. There it was... stopped for good (or bad) in the driveway, covered with snow. Luckily, I had AAA, and they came to my rescue.
So, I agree, never leave your keys in the ignition, or leave the motor running.
By the way, there is something I want to share with you, and this is as good a time and place as any to talk to you about it.
I have notice several other Active Rain bloggers in Albuquerque. They have actually been BLOGGING. In YOUR town. What's the deal? Have they asked for your permission? Are they hoping you just don't find out? It all seems pretty gutsy to me, my friend. How can they DO this?
I suggest you pursue this immediately, my friend. I mean... what's right is right!
John McCormack is the Owner/Broker-Realtor® at Albuquerque Homes Realty. Serving Albuquerque and Rio Rancho home buyers and sellers since 2000.
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