Going on vacation and want to tell your social media friends about it? That may not be a good idea. Thieves are always looking and listening to find opportunistic targets. Since the goal of a thief is to steal without injury or being caught, a home that's empty due to family vacation time can be irresistible. A home security system along with enforcing rigid social media practices are necessities in today's crime-ridden world.
Social Media Targeting
In many cases a burglar is someone the family knows. It may even be a family friend, relative or the neighbor right next door. They often see burglary as a victimless crime thinking that insurance will replace what is lost. This altered thought process can push even a close relative into breaking into the home of family members.
This is why social media as well as direct communication control is crucial. Even for social media sites that allow full control of who sees posts, there is nothing stopping someone who sees a post from casually mentioning the planned vacation details in conversation. Since there is no way to control who hears what, it is important to use discretion when revealing the details about your vacation to others.
Enforcing this with teenage children is likely going to be difficult. Growing up in the culture of sharing by social media has many teens not seeing anything risky about posting even the most intimate of details. With some social media feeds being fully open to public searches, it is good to restrict the posting of photos and details about the vacation adventure, at least until after it is over.
However, if this seems like something that is impossible to do in certain families, then regular posts about a friend or relative staying at the house to do routine tasks while everyone is away lets potential thieves know that the house is not empty.
Home Security System Installation
The basic protection is very affordable with home security companies, and some of the more modern systems offer some great options like surveillance cameras that securely connect over the home's broadband Internet connection. This allows the homeowner to check on things at the house from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection, using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Some systems also allow you to connect remotely to different appliances in your house (such as the lights), enabling you to control a lived-in home facade.
Home security companies install systems that are monitored around the clock. When anything from intrusion to smoke sets off a sensor, the appropriate authorities are dispatched even though the family may be visiting another country on vacation.
Even the best security system available can be compromised if you share too much private information over social networks, so to be safe, the best practice is to not post anything about an upcoming or in-progress vacation on any social media site. There is plenty of time to share afterwards. Because it may be hard for everyone in the family to resist posting (even unintentionally), a home security system as a Plan B is an excellent investment for protection.
Social Media Targeting
In many cases a burglar is someone the family knows. It may even be a family friend, relative or the neighbor right next door. They often see burglary as a victimless crime thinking that insurance will replace what is lost. This altered thought process can push even a close relative into breaking into the home of family members.
This is why social media as well as direct communication control is crucial. Even for social media sites that allow full control of who sees posts, there is nothing stopping someone who sees a post from casually mentioning the planned vacation details in conversation. Since there is no way to control who hears what, it is important to use discretion when revealing the details about your vacation to others.
Enforcing this with teenage children is likely going to be difficult. Growing up in the culture of sharing by social media has many teens not seeing anything risky about posting even the most intimate of details. With some social media feeds being fully open to public searches, it is good to restrict the posting of photos and details about the vacation adventure, at least until after it is over.
However, if this seems like something that is impossible to do in certain families, then regular posts about a friend or relative staying at the house to do routine tasks while everyone is away lets potential thieves know that the house is not empty.
Home Security System Installation
The basic protection is very affordable with home security companies, and some of the more modern systems offer some great options like surveillance cameras that securely connect over the home's broadband Internet connection. This allows the homeowner to check on things at the house from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection, using a smartphone, tablet or computer. Some systems also allow you to connect remotely to different appliances in your house (such as the lights), enabling you to control a lived-in home facade.
Home security companies install systems that are monitored around the clock. When anything from intrusion to smoke sets off a sensor, the appropriate authorities are dispatched even though the family may be visiting another country on vacation.
Even the best security system available can be compromised if you share too much private information over social networks, so to be safe, the best practice is to not post anything about an upcoming or in-progress vacation on any social media site. There is plenty of time to share afterwards. Because it may be hard for everyone in the family to resist posting (even unintentionally), a home security system as a Plan B is an excellent investment for protection.
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