Better safe than sorry!

August 29 2009 , Written by thediversetraveller Published on #BBC, #crime, #facebook, #Legal & General, #On the Web, #Online Communities, #Royal Mail, #safety, #security, #Social network, #Social network service, #travel, #Travel News, #travel tips, #Twitter

According to a recent survey by British-based Legal & General, Facebook users (and I am one) enthusing about an upcoming holiday or a recently purchased high-tech gadget may not just be telling their friends but also potential burglars, warns an insurance company.

The survey of 2,092 social media users by Legal & General found nearly four in ten, or 38 percent, of people using social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter post details about holiday plans and 33 percent details of a weekend away.

Guilty!

I have recently told my little universe of friends, twitter followers, Ola's World readers and visitors to DiverseTraveller.com that I am in the USA. OK, now I've told those of you who didn't know.

Reformed burglar Michael Fraser, who appears in BBC's "Beat The Burglar" series and helped Legal & General prepare the report, said this kind of information was being used by professional burglars to establish a list of targets. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that burglars are using social networks to develop relationships with people to identify likely targets."

Protect your home

Crimestoppers crime prevention advice - protecting your home while on holiday If like me you feel inclined to share your travel plans online, what can you do to safeguard your home while you are away? According to Crime stoppers UK, taking these precautions will help:

Make your home look like someone is living in it, e.g. don't close your curtains. In daytime this shows your house is empty. Also, use automatic timer-switches to turn your lights and radios on when it goes dark. You can do this even if you are just going out for the evening

Use the Royal Mail's “keepsafe” service – they keep your mail for up to two months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away

Trusted neighbours may be able to help you by collecting your post, opening and closing curtains and they could park their car on your driveway

Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers may hear details of your absence from home

Try not to take a taxi to the airport. If you do, use a taxi company you can rely on, don't discuss your holiday plans and make it sound like you have a house-sitter, whether you do or not

Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination. A house number and postcode will suffice if you want to label your luggage.

For more tips on keeping your home safe while on holiday visit the Crime Stoppers website.

Now, has anyone got any tips on what to see and do in Toronto?