FREE Online Course in Personal and Home Security
Learn how to protect yourself and
your property
Part 14: How to Protect Cars, Bicycles
and Motorcycles
Here are some ideas on how to protect your vehicles.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CAR - Always
lock your car doors. Be certain all windows are completely closed.
When driving, keep all doors locked. It is best to park in attended
lots. If you must leave a key with the attendant, leave only
the ignition key. In all cases lock your car. At night, park
only in well-lighted areas.
If you have a garage, the single
lock on the door is inadequate to keep intruders from prying
up the opposite side and crawling in. One of three methods may
be used to secure the door: (1) Add another bolt and padlock
on the opposite side, or (2) Install a pair of cane bolts to
the inside - only operable from the inside, or (3) Add a top
center hasp. any person of average height can operate this locking
device. The hasp must be of hardened steel and installed with
carriage bolts through the door or gate. Use large washers on
the inside. After the nuts are secured, deface the threads of
the bolt ends with a hammer to keep the nuts from being removed.
In every case, use a minimum
standard exterior padlock. Don't hide a key outside. Most hiding
places are obvious to the burglar.
Never leave a padlock unlocked.
This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key
can be made, and the lock returned to its position. Later, the
burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure,
using "his" key.
HOW TO PROTECT BICYCLES - You
don't leave your car unlocked, so treat your bicycle the same
way. Use an approved chain and padlock whenever you are not on
the seat! Lock it to the garage - with a 3/8" x 6"
eye screw fastened to a stud. The eye screw should be at least
3 feet above the floor, because this makes using a pry bar much
more difficult.
Whenever you lock your bike in
a public place, chain it to a secure rack or stanchion through
the frame and a wheel. Keep the chain as high above the ground
as the bike will allow. This reduces the leverage for a pry bar
or bolt cutter attack.
MINIMUM STANDARD FOR APPROVED
CHAIN - Must be a least 5/16" hardened steel alloy. Links
must be of continuous welded construction. Lighter chain, or
chain with open links simply will not withstand bolt cutting
attacks. Don't GIVE your bicycle away! Using anything less will
invite its theft.
HOW TO PROTECT MOTORCYCLES -
These expensive bikes require additional security measures. They
must be secured with a mated 3/8" hardened steel alloy chain
and a padlock of equal strength. Sheathed cable has not proven
to be a satisfactory deterrent to theft.
LIGHTING - Good exterior lighting
is important, particularly when the yard area is obscured by
high, non removable shrubbery. The best possible location for
outside lights is under the eaves. This makes ground level assault
more difficult. You can buy an inexpensive timer or photo electric
cell which will automatically turn the lights on a dusk and turn
them off at dawn.
These articles are reprinted
with permission from Visec
Security Software, "the leader in video surveillance".
Now, turn an ordinary low cost
web cam and your PC into a powerful home security system. Visec
security camera software captures what is happening to help catch
the perpetrators. Try
Visec Security Software Free Now!
