Taking a vacation is relaxing, rejuvenating and refreshing. Often times, we are compelled to share our journeys with friends and family on social media by posting travel plans, photos of sights we’ve visited, or, the delicious meals we’re enjoying. However, there is a fine line between things that are safe to share and others that can leave us and our homes in a vulnerable position. Crossing this line is a slippery slope that could lead to some detrimental and unwanted consequences while you’re away.
When you’re busy posting pictures of you and your S.O.’s feet in the sand, you’re thinking about your house thousands of miles away. But by posting those pictures, you are putting your home’s security at risk. Understanding some basic guidelines about posting while on vacation is vital in deterring any unwanted complications while you’re away. Here are a few things to steer clear of:
Don’t Post About Your Vacation While Still Away
This is the biggest mistake you can make. With social media platforms reducing the degrees of separation between people, your online updates are more accessible to far-off connections and unknown individuals. If status updates fall into the wrong hands, it leaves your home wide open to thieves who would break into your home and steal your personal effects.
If your home was broken into while you were away on vacation and it’s learned that you had been posting information online that you were away, your homeowners insurance company could deny your claim. If this should happen, you will want to begin comparinghome insurance quotesright away so that you can get on a better plan and one that doesn’t punish you for being social.
Don’t Post About Future Travel Plans
You wouldn’t give a stranger your daily schedule, would you? Posting on social media about present or future travel plans is like doing just that. Giving status updates about upcoming vacations or mentioning the dates you’ll be away will help criminals plan out when to break-in, and how long they have to do so return from your vacation.
The only people who should know about the dates that you’ll be travelling are your family members and employer. Anybody else having that information, even close friends, may let it slip and put you at risk of burglary. No matter how tempting it may be to let your friends know the next location you’re visiting, putting your home at risk of burglary and damage is clearly not worth the temptation.
Don’t Tag Fellow Vacationers
For the reasons you shouldn’t post about your personal vacation plans, the same applies for anybody you may be travelling with. Even if you get their permission to tag them in the pictures or updates you put on social media (which by now you should strongly consider against it), you are compromising the safety of their homes by doing so.
Letting your friends and family know who you’re travelling with and what your plans are may be exciting, but holding off until you and your travel buddies are back at home is the only way to ensure no damage or loss occurs to your house. Hold off on making your posts until after you get home. Hashtags like #throwbackthursday and #flashbackfriday exist for a reason!
In the age of social media, posting about our plans and activities is something everyone loves to partake in. However, the damages and consequences that can arise from such updates far outweigh the benefits, and it is likely in your best interests to hold off until you’re safely back at home. Posting about your travel plans is like an open door for thieves, and not being wary about the timing of your posts could leave your home vulnerable to theft. Keep your plans to yourself, and only post pictures once you’re back. This is the only way to avoid the risk of burglary while on your relaxing vacation.
