5 things you shouldn't post on social media while on vacation

3 min read travel

Jan 3, 2017

You never know who will care about what you share.

From a simple weekend away at the cottage to a summer-long Euro trip, planning and going on a vacation is always exciting. But in our ever-increasing digital world, it’s important to know what you shouldn’t share online. It could help keep your home and your possessions safe while you’re away. Here is a list of the top five things you should not post on social media when you head out on vacation.

1. Trip countdown

Excited for your March Break holiday that’s 12 days away? Of course you are. But that doesn’t mean you should post a countdown to your social network. It could take out the guesswork for potential burglars of when you’ll be away from home. Keep the family excitement internal and your home will thank you.

2. Details of your vacation

You probably have a few hundred friends on your Facebook list. But they aren’t all close family and friends, and unfortunately, you might not be able to trust everybody. Making people aware that you won’t be at home could be just the invitation a thief was waiting for. In fact, police say that criminals are increasingly using Facebook to identify potential victims1. 

3. Personal possessions

Perhaps you’re over the moon about a new 60” 4K TV, or want to show off your latest family vehicle. Although you may think you’re sharing this news with just a few friends, posting photos and detailed information about these items could get in the hands of the wrong person. When you head out on vacation, who knows who may be eyeing that shiny new TV?

4. Travelling with others

It’s always fun to travel with others, and you’ll want to capture photos of your adventures to look back and remember for years to come. But try saving them for a printed photo book or a scrapbook, instead of sharing them online. Tagging your fellow travellers in pictures or videos will alert their social networks that they’re away from home.

5. Your current location

Without even knowing it, you may be revealing your location to the world every time you upload a photo or post a comment, making it easier for people to scope out your home for a robbery. Find out how to turn off location settings and geotagging on your devices now, so when you head out on vacation, you can worry less.

Despite your best efforts, if you arrive home and find someone has entered or stolen from your home, we at Johnson Insurance are always there to help. You can reach us any time day or night to begin your claim.

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