Social Media Sites Can Ruin Your Vacation

Stop it.

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.

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.

Stop it.

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 that, 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 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.

So what do you do? Stop it.

First, stop spreading the word. Your family and friends and fanbase can wait until you've returned to see all the fasinating photos and evidence of your life outside the box.

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".

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 will help disguise your home while your away.