The busy holiday shopping season starts this week, and we’d like to share some tips on how to prevent thieves from breaking into your vehicle.

When possible, remove your belongings from your vehicle or hide them from sight. Entering autos is a wide spread problem around the Metro Atlanta area. Thieves can quickly break into a car and help themselves to a potential gold mine of items: electronics, cash and credit cards, and firearms. Electronics such as laptops, cellphones and tablets, and credit cards can be used to steal your identity while your firearm may be used during the commission of another crime.

Firearms are a popular item on the thieves’ shopping list. If you frequently travel with a firearm, consider purchasing a vehicle safe to secure your weapon when you’re away from home. When you are at home, taking your firearm inside is the safest way to secure it.

When possible, park your vehicle in a well-lit area. An exterior, motion-activated light can be a good deterrent for thieves. A security camera mounted on the outside of your home can help you keep an eye on your property and in the event of a theft, it can aid investigators in identifying the suspect.

Parking lots, whether at the mall, a big box store or at a hotel are popular hunting grounds for thieves. This is especially true around the holidays when people are making large purchases. When walking to or from your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings. When possible, park in a well-lit, high traffic area. A thief is less likely to act when they believe a witness may see them. Hide your purchases in the trunk, under your seats, or take them home.