Having your vehicle broken into is one of the most unpleasant aspects of car ownership, and the spring season can be a tempting time for would-be criminals, especially those on foot.

According to a published report each year, $1.25 billion in personal items and accessories are stolen from vehicles in about 1.85 million thefts; and for every theft there are several break-ins and attempted break-ins.

Given that there have been a couple reports of vehicle break-ins in Franklin in recent days, we thought we’d take the opportunity to remind our readers of a few basic safety tips.

Though there isn’t anything you can do to prevent a break-in if someone really wants to get into your car, we urge our readers to take a few simple steps that could help minimize the likelihood of becoming a victim of this particular crime.

Vehicles should never be left unlocked and all windows should be up; authorities say that up to 25 percent of car break-ins happen when a crook simply tries a door handle, and finds the door open.

Lock your doors, even if you’re popping into a convenience store for 30 seconds. It’s also important never to leave valuable or newly purchased items in plain sight in vehicles. We suggest stashing your valuables out of sight before parking. Last, but not least, be sure to park in well-lit areas at nighttime.

Anything you can do to prevent a break-in will go a long way toward peace of mind.

Help thwart a would-be thief by taking precautions and always report anything suspicious to law enforcement.