Don’t Let Social Media Expose Your Home: Tips to Foil Burglary Attempts

In today’s interconnected world, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives, allowing us to share experiences, connect with friends and family, and even showcase our homes. However, with the convenience of social media comes an important concern – the potential risk of enabling burglars to target our homes. Securian understands the importance of keeping your home safe and secure, so let’s explore how social media can inadvertently aid burglars and discover the best practices to prevent this from happening.

The Dark Side of Sharing: How Social Media Can Aid Burglaries

While it’s natural to share snippets of our lives on social media, these seemingly harmless posts can provide valuable information to potential burglars:

Location Tagging: Location tagging allows others to know where you are in real time. Posting pictures while on vacation or away from home can signal to burglars that your property is unoccupied and vulnerable.

Posting Routines: Regular posts indicating your daily routine can give burglars insights into your absence patterns. From work hours to gym sessions, such details can make your home an easy target.

Home Layout: Sharing photos of your home’s interior can offer burglars a blueprint of your possessions and the layout, making it easier for them to target valuable items.

Valuable Purchases: Flaunting expensive purchases like jewellery, electronics, or art on social media can attract unwanted attention from criminals.

Best Practices to Protect Your Home

Securian is committed to helping you keep your home secure, both in the physical and digital realms. Here are some best practices to prevent social media-enabled burglaries:

Be Mindful of Your Posts: Before sharing content, consider whether it reveals sensitive information about your whereabouts, routines, or possessions. Refrain from location tagging when away from home, and avoid sharing your daily routines in too much detail.

Update Privacy Settings: Most social media platforms offer privacy settings that control who can see your posts. Adjust these settings to limit the visibility of your content to trusted friends and family members.

Wait to Post Vacation Photos: While it’s tempting to share your vacation experiences in real-time, consider waiting until you’re back home. This avoids signalling to potential burglars that your property is unattended.

Avoid Home Layout Reveals: Refrain from sharing detailed interior photos that showcase your possessions and home layout. If you must share such pictures, be cautious about the information they reveal.

Limit Personal Information: Review your profile and limit the amount of personal information available. Avoid sharing details like your address, phone number, or other sensitive data.

Notify Trusted Neighbours: If you’re going on vacation, inform a trusted neighbour or friend to keep an eye on your property. They can collect mail, and newspapers, and even park their car in your driveway to give the appearance of occupancy.

Consider Professional Monitoring: Invest in a robust home security system that offers real-time monitoring and alerts. This can provide you with peace of mind knowing that professionals are watching over your property.

Conclusion

In the digital age, our online activities can inadvertently impact our physical security. Securian understands the importance of keeping your home safe and offers these best practices to help you avoid falling victim to social media-enabled burglaries. By being mindful of what you share online and implementing the recommended security measures, you can enjoy the benefits of social media while keeping your home secure. Remember, a few simple steps can go a long way in safeguarding your property and your peace of mind.