By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ Holidays and social media tend to go hand-in-hand, with travellers eager to share not only their exciting experiences, but their whereabouts. And while that might please (or annoy!) friends and family, doing so is nothing short of a leaving a “gone fishin’” sign on the front door for thieves, says Allstate Canada.
According to a recent poll by the insurance company, many Canadians unknowingly indulge in risky habits that leave their homes vulnerable while they’re away.
According to the poll:
- Nearly one third (32%) of Canadian social media users say they post about their vacation plans before or during their trip, a practice that can tip off potential thieves that their homes are left unsupervised. Among the younger generation, 18 to 34-year-olds, that number jumps to 1 in 2 (51%).
- Although the majority of respondents say protecting their home from theft is a priority while away, 15% say sharing on social media is more of a priority than keeping their home safe from a break-in.
- Analysis of Allstate’s in-house claims data from 2015 to 2024 reveals that property theft rises slightly over the summer, with August reaching a peak.
George Ljubicic, Agency Manager, Allstate Canada, told Travel Industry Today that the most surprising insight from the company’s poll was “finding that parents were more likely to overshare travel plans on social media than those without children, as you would expect that those with kids might be extra cautious about broadcasting when their house is empty. It’s a reminder that sharing too freely on social media isn’t just a ‘younger generation’ habit.”
“What also stood out,” he continued, “was the gap between concern and behaviour: 62% of Canadians told us protecting their home from theft while away is their top priority, yet 15% of respondents still said posting on social media matters more to them than keeping their home safe from a break-in. That disconnect really drives home the importance of educating renters and homeowners on habits, like oversharing online, that can put their home’s safety at risk.”
According to Ljubicic these five precautions should be considered by travellers to help protect their homes while away:
- Hold off on posting vacation photos until you’re home. Sharing your trip in real time on social media is really just broadcasting that your house is empty.
- Tighten up your privacy settings. Set your accounts to private and even then, keep dates and destinations vague – you don’t need to announce exactly where and when you’ll be travelling.
- Turn off geolocation tagging on your phone and always steer clear of sharing photos that clearly show your street address or house number.
- Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page. One family member posting countdowns or location tags undoes everyone else’s precautions.
- Before you go on a vacation, it’s always a good idea to review your home insurance policy with your insurance professional to ensure you have the right coverage for your needs.
“We’re not saying don’t share photos of your trip online – we’re saying share it after you’re home, not while your house is sitting empty,” Ljubicic concluded. “Think of your social media feed like a spare key under the mat. If the wrong person’s looking, you’ve just made their job a whole lot easier.”
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