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By Abby Zieverink

RCMP TIPS

Grande Prairie RCMP urge caution to prevent vehicle warm-up thefts

Dec 6, 2021 | 1:06 PM

With below zero temperatures hitting the region, the Grande Prairie RCMP are reminding motorists to be cautious when starting and letting their vehicles warm up.

Cst. Lindsay Ralph with the RCMP urges residents to never leave their vehicle unattended when the keys are inside, as theft can happen in the blink of an eye.

“Never turn your vehicle on with the keys in the ignition, it is very easy for someone to just get in and drive away but, even to have it on with the keys in the ignition and the doors locked, someone could easily just break the window and do the same thing,” she explained.

“And it really does only take a second for a person to get into an idling vehicle and drive away, and just a little bit longer to break the window and drive away.”

Ralph tells EverythingGP even keeping an eye on an idling vehicle from the house window is not encouraged.

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“Sometimes when we’re watching from the window, it’s just not as safe, and it is better to be out with your car.”

Ralph explains there are a couple of options to help avoid motorists from falling victim to warm-up thefts.

“If possible, have a (remote) car starter, where you don’t actually need the keys in it, so your car is stared, but the keys are not in it and the doors stay locked,” she added. “Or dress warmly and wait with your vehicle while it warms up and that way we can deter anything from happening to the vehicle.”

Other ways to prevent the theft of a motor vehicle include removing all valuables, using a steering wheel lock, removing garage door openers and spare keys as well as parking in well-lit areas, suggests the RCMP.