How Social Media Sites Can Ruin Your Vacation

I'm not talking about Twittering your followers while your laying out on the beach, teasing about how fabulous the weather is, or how warm the water is, or even how the scent of suntanning lotion is filling the air. Your followers will probably feel a little jealousy, but after they're done telling their followers whatever it is they're doing at the moment, and they come back to their reality, all is well and probably forgotten.

I'm not talking about how at the end of each fantastic and adventurous day you upload your vacation pictures onto your Myspace or Facebook profile to show your fanbase, family and friends exactly what you were doing when you didn't respond to their text messages, emails or comments.

Well, in a way. See, I'm talking about the fact that while your intentions are to show your admirers your travels, you could be inviting trouble. Think about it. You're on vacation. You were so busy spending the previous week packing, sending off emails, wrapping up work, going over your checklists, chances are, you've totally forgotten to ensure your home would be safe while you were on your little extravaganza.

By Tweeting, uploading pics and reminding the world over and over again that you are away, you've done just that. Alerted the world that your home, your possessions, your safety zone is now a free for all for whomever wants to cross your perimeters line and take a peek of whatever it is that is bestowed on the inside.

This is the perfect opportunity for wannabe criminals, expert intruders and boogy-man burglars to break-in and scope out the goods, without interruptions.

Social media sites ARE a great way to keep in touch with the world, even when you're away. But keep in mind that they can work against you the same ways they work with you. It would be tragic to get home from a wonderful vacation and be greeted with a loss of belongings and a violation of privacy. Chances are, you’re going to forget about the wonderful memories you have frozen in time, and you’ll be dealing with the all more real reality.

So what do you do?

First, stop spreading the word. Your family and friends and fanbase can wait until you've returned to see all the fascinating photos and evidence of your life outside the box. Don’t tell the entire world you’re going on vacation, only a few (boss, close family, etc.).

Second, don't be shy. Talk to your neighbors. You know that one neighbor who seems to be soo perfect that you can't stand it at all? That neighbor could end up being your savior. Start a neighborhood watch. Inform your closest neighbors that you'll be out of town for a period of time and ask if they could "keep an eye on things", check the mail, pick up the newspapers daily so they don't begin to pile up. Stuff like that.

Third, take some security measures before you leave. Put it on your checklist before leaving to triple-check doors, windows and other entrances onto your property. If you have an alarm system, set it, don't forget it. Invest in automatic lights. You can get ones that are meant for the inside or the outside of your home. This, among other things will help to disguise your home while you're on vacation.

Also, keep in mind that showing pictures of your dogs (especially if it’s a big, mean dog) should be posted on your social media accounts, let the bad guys know that you do have protection in the form of an aggressor. And if you like to hunt and have various, large guns, post those pictures along side of your beach-going pictures. Remind the bad guys that you have weapons and you’re not afraid to use them.

Doing things like this can help secure your home even more while you're on vacation. Don’t let social media sites ruin your vacation, or your trip home!

For more information, tips, tricks and advice please visit www.homesecurityadvice.com