It’s that time again when ghosts, goblins, and witches come out to play. But, while most people are focusing on what costumes they will wear or what tricks they will play on their friends, the scariest part about Halloween is the thought of your car being stolen.
Unfortunately, vehicle theft is a common occurrence on Halloween. Criminals know that there will be plenty of cars parked on the street while people are out trick-or-treating, and they take advantage of this. And it can be especially frightening if it happens to you.
Why is there Car Theft on Halloween?
If you research the beginnings of Halloween, you’ll discover that it started with the Celts Festival of Samhain over 2000 years ago. It was said that the spiritual border wall separating the living and the dead weakened on October 31st, allowing the ghosts to vacation to earth in search of food, comfort, and some partying. Unfortunately, as often happens with partying, people lose control, and the Celtic dead seemed no different. They would cause mayhem, steal chariots and horses, and generally scare people into giving them food when they knocked on the door.
This mayhem has continued for some today, but instead of the dead, it is thieves wearing costumes, stealing cars, taking catalytic convertors, and damaging property. It’s such a big problem that Travelers Insurance says vandalism claims increase over 68% on Halloween compared to other days of the year. And over the last ten years, Halloween is generally ranked as one of the top three spots for car thefts.
Whether it’s a wallet or car theft, thieves generally thrive in an environment that makes you inattentive, absent-minded, or careless. Halloween is full of distractions, with parking in a new area, getting kids in and out of the car, and leaving your car running. And it’s easy to forget simple things like locking your vehicle and observing your surroundings. One too many distractions and you may be calling for a ride home.
Since vehicle thefts are becoming a more common occurrence, organizations like the National Insurance Crime Bureau recommend four layers of protection:
- Common sense. Vehicle owners should always remove keys from the ignition, lock doors and windows, and park in well-lit areas.
- Warning devices like visible and audible alarms.
- Immobilizing devices that prevent the vehicle from starting.
- Tracking devices like Elo GPS.
Halloween or Anytime: Elo GPS is the Answer
So, what can you do? If you don’t park your vehicle in a secure garage at night, it’s understandable to be worried about your car being stolen. And, if you live in a high-crime area or your vehicle is especially valuable, it’s natural to feel anxious about leaving it unattended even if it’s while you’re Trick or Treating. But there’s something you can do to protect your car from thieves on Halloween and all year round.
One option is to install Elo GPS, a vehicle tracking system that uses GPS technology to track the location of your vehicle in real-time and allows you to setup custom movement alerts. If your car is stolen, you can use the Elo GPS app to locate it and contact our 24/7 Nationwide Recovery Hotline for assistance in coordinating with the police to recover your vehicle.
Elo GPS is easy to use and affordable for most budgets, particularly when you factor in potential car insurance discounts for having a vehicle recovery system. Plus, it offers peace of mind knowing that you can find your car if it’s ever stolen. So, if you’re looking for a way to protect your vehicle, consider Elo GPS. It could be the best decision you ever make!