Social media encourages us to keep our friends and family informed on where we are and what we’re up to. In doing so, we might be advertising our absence. With each post of our holiday countdown or snap of a cocktail on the beach, we are telling the world that our home is vacant and might be for some time. Similarly, whilst it is tempting to ‘check-in’ to locations on Instagram and Facebook, bragging to friends about the posh new restaurant we’re checking out, we’re making our homes vulnerable to attack by opportunistic burglars.

Our home security might also be compromised by RSVPs to events via social media platforms. Publicly declaring that you may be attending events including weddings, parties, work functions and so on that suggest you will be away from the house, also make your home vulnerable to theft. Burglars are increasingly turning to social media platforms to find their next targets and quite often, we unconsciously offer up the information they’re looking for.