Automobile theft costs Canadians an estimated $1 billion a year.

Here are some tips to help you avoid your car becoming part of that statistic:

Park Smart: If you have a garage, use it. If you must park outside, be sure to park in well-lit areas and use your parking brake. If parking in your driveway, park a front-wheel-drive vehicle in front first and back in a rear-wheel-drive. If you have two vehicles, park the less expensive vehicle behind the more expensive one.

Lock it up: As simple as it sounds, most thefts are crimes of opportunity. A thief looking to take a car is more likely to try the one whose owner was kind enough to complete the first step. So be sure to always lock the doors, roll up the windows and close the sunroof.

Don’t give them the keys: Never leave keys in the vehicle, even if you’re just stepping away for a minute or the vehicle is locked. Also, try to maintain control of your keys at all times. Don’t leave them on the floor next to you while at the gym, and avoid leaving your keys with parking attendants and other strangers too.

Beware keyless entry: While key fobs and push-button starts can come in handy, they have also created a new risk – sometimes called a relay. When at home, keep your keys away from windows and doors to make it harder for a transmitter to pick up a signal. Alternatively, you could keep your fob in a metal container, or purchase a key fob blocker pouch that holds your key while in your pocket or purse.