These days, social media has become second nature to many people. We don’t think twice before posting a status update or checking in to a restaurant on Foursquare. What we also don’t think much about is the risk associated with practically anyone knowing where you are at all times.

Posting something as simple as “Headed to the beach with the family for the weekend” could put your home in danger. Home intruders look for this sort of thing and can use it to their advantage. They can learn your daily routine and when you’re on vacation, making it all the more easy for them to break into your home undetected. The following are tips to help you keep your home safe:

• -Post as little information as possible about being away from your home and social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. This is especially true if you mention that your whole family is away.
• -If you set an auto-reply for your email while you are away, be as vague as possible. You don’t know who could be receiving this reply.
• -Make sure all of your Facebook and Twitter security settings are as strict as possible. It is safest if only people you are friends with or that you follow can see your posts and pictures.
• -Take any security warnings posted by the operators of these social networks very seriously. Any breach of security could affect you as much as it could anyone else.
• -Make sure your home alarm systems and camera surveillance systems are functioning properly and turned on when you are away from your home.