Before taking off on that vacation, make sure you’re not needlessly putting your home and possessions at risk. Although people today are not leaving their doors physically open to thieves, many are unknowingly inviting burglars in by “over-sharing” on social media sites.
According to the MetLife Auto & Home Safety Pulse: Danger at the Door survey, 15 percent of the total population reports using social networking sites to post updates when leaving their homes, and more than double that amount—35 percent—of younger Americans (aged 18-34) “check in” to locations and tweet about their whereabouts when away. While it might be tempting to update family and friends on your adventures, this can give burglars clues about the best time to strike.
It’s important for both homeowners and renters, especially those active on social networking sites and taking longer vacations, to be aware of the risks posed by sharing details about their locations online. This is especially true with younger newlyweds who are more likely to be renters.
Burglar-proofing your home before leaving for your trip and being selective with the information you share on social media sites and whom you share it with can make a real difference in persuading thieves to look elsewhere for an easier target. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to safeguard your home.
*DO set your privacy settings on social media sites to the maximum level to keep strangers from seeing your updates.
*DON’T post messages or pictures from vacation until after you return home, or give specifics on the times you’ll be away from your home.
*DO use private messaging or text to invite people to join you for a night out instead of posting your invite for the world to see.
*DON’T advertise that you’re away. Arrange to have the lawn mowed, put lights and electronics on variable timers, and if your driveway will be empty, ask a neighbor to park a car there.
*DO make would-be thieves feel both exposed and contained. Choose picket or chain-link fencing instead of solid fencing to create a physical barrier that’s less easy to hide behind.
*DO get a solar-powered, motion-sensor light, which doesn’t require an electrician and will illuminate your property so that intruders are easier for neighbors and passing patrol cars to spot.
*DON’T hide keys in “secret places” outside your home. Most burglars know where to look. Better to leave a duplicate with someone you trust.
*DO invest in a burglar alarm. The most effective ones notify an outside service of trouble, but any kind is a good deterrent.
Joann Kraemer
Joann Kraemer is a director of product development at MetLife Auto & Home. Kraemer has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its affiliates, Warwick, RI.
