Social media oversharing could put your home at risk this Easter weekend
16 April 2025: With the upcoming Easter holidays, many South Africans are preparing to travel for a well-deserved break. However, while eager holidaymakers take to the roads and skies, their homes could become easy targets for criminals – especially if they unwittingly advertise their absence on social media.
This is according to Siyakha Masiye, spokesperson at Miway, who warns that sharing travel plans online in real-time can significantly increase the risk of break-ins and theft. “While it may seem harmless, posting updates about your holiday location, sharing boarding passes, or checking in at airports and resorts provides valuable information to potential criminals who monitor social platforms for opportunities,” says Masiye. “This means that any location-based posts, real-time stories, and even well-meaning ‘countdown to holiday’ updates essentially signal that your home is unoccupied, making it more vulnerable to crime.”
And the risks don’t end there. In some cases, homeowners who fail to take adequate precautions may find their insurance claims challenged or even rejected. “If a burglary occurs while you are away, and it is discovered that you publicly shared your travel plans, your insurer may view this as negligence,” explains Masiye. “Additionally, failure to activate security measures, such as alarm systems, may result in repudiated claims.”
Practical tips to safeguard your home and protect your insurance
To stay safe this Easter, Masiye urges travellers to secure both their homes and their online presence before departing. This includes reinforcing physical security measures and adjusting social media habits to minimise risk:
• Change privacy settings: Review your social media privacy settings to control who can view your posts. Restrict access to trusted friends and family and avoid accepting friend requests from people you don’t know.
• Delay posting travel updates: While it’s tempting to share holiday experiences as they happen, consider waiting until you’re back home before posting photos or location updates. Broadcasting your absence in real-time can make your home a target for criminals.
• Disable location tracking: Many social media platforms, apps, and even phone settings automatically share location data. Turn off location services for social media apps to prevent unintended sharing of your whereabouts.
• Ensure home security measures are active: Before leaving, test your alarm system to ensure it’s working properly. Lock all doors, windows, and security gates, and notify your security company of your travel plans so they can respond promptly to any alerts.
• Arrange for a house sitter or trusted neighbour to check in: Ask a neighbour, friend, or family member to visit your home periodically, collect mail, and switch on lights in the evening. This helps create the illusion that someone is home, which can deter potential intruders.
• Be mindful of family members’ posts: Remind your younger family members – especially social-loving teens – to avoid posting travel details online. Even an innocent post from a child, such as “Can’t wait for our holiday tomorrow!”, can alert criminals to an unoccupied home.
“Taking these precautions can not only reduce your risk but also strengthen your insurance position should a claim arise,” says Masiye. “At Miway, we encourage homeowners to be vigilant, particularly during high-travel periods such as Easter. A few small adjustments here and there can go a long way towards safeguarding both your digital and home security.”
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