Social media has become one of the ways we update our friends and family with what’s happening in our lives. These gestures are tempting but they may be unwise. Why? Anyone can track your movements by following the posts you share over social media. Sharing too many details about your home address, what possessions you have, and your current location away from home with both friends and those with bad intentions can lead to your home being burglarized. 

Stop sharing your address

Snapping photos in front of your home to show your family and friends over social media is a fun idea, but this also gives anyone who follows you information about where you live. As well, if you are listing your home for sale or rent on sites such as Kijiji or Craigslist, opt for indicating the neighbourhood instead of providing your proper address.

Refrain from sharing your location

Using the check-in or geolocation features on social media platforms wherever you go allows for anyone to know your current location. As well if your profiles are public, then the data is, too. You should also check the settings on your mobile device to ensure that the geolocation feature is not permanently activated. This takes the ability of a photo you snap to be localized by the details the GPS on your device collects.

Stop sharing vacation photos while you are still away

Posting pics of your family jumping into the ocean while on your getaway over social media lets everyone know your home is unattended. It is best to wait until you return home to share all your holiday pictures. Doing this will help protect yourself from those who would take advantage of an empty home.

Stop posting your prized possessions on social media

Sharing big-ticket items or valuable possessions over social media may not be a wise thing to do. You are telling those who are looking to lute your home of the items they may find once inside.

What can you do to protect the items you treasure within your home? Make sure these items are insured to make sure they can be replaced should you experience theft in your home. Use this guide to help you keep records of these items.

Do you still have questions about how to keep your home and possessions safe while you are away? Speak with your broker about updating your policy to include any valuables around your home that would be hard to replace.

SOURCES

https://ia.ca/advice-zone/house/social-media-a-burglar-s-ally
https://globalnews.ca/news/2831282/are-your-vacation-pictures-putting-your-home-at-risk-of-robbery/
https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/technology/online-privacy-tracking-cookies/online-privacy/social-media/02_05_d_74_sn