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Burglars have been known to search social media sites for targeted keywords that indicate someone is travelling. Photos taken on a smartphone or digital camera may also contain hidden GPS location data. Known as "geotagging," this info can reveal precisely when and where a photo was taken. If the image is then uploaded to social media, thieves can easily confirm your current location. Fortunately, you can prevent this information from getting out simply by disabling geotagging in your phone or camera settings (consult your owner's manual for instructions). If you're concerned about what your online presence might be revealing, check your own social media feeds to see whether the info you're posting allows thieves to confirm if you are home. Beyond the digital realm, Constable Dave Krenz, who serves as a Vancouver Police Block Watch investigator and training officer, says the best way to protect your abode is with good basic security and a network of supportive neighbours. "Reinforce your doors and windows," says Krenz. "For doors that means solid cores, with a two-inch deadbolt lock and heavy-duty strike plates. Then start or join a Block Watch program." And finally, follow these tips to prepare your property so you can relax and unwind on your travels – instead of worrying about your home. • If you're going on vacation, leave your home in the care of someone you trust and let them know where you can be reached in case of emergency. Have them check your home every few days. • Arrange to have your newspaper and mail picked up, your grass cut, the leaves raked or the snow removed as necessary. • Put away ladders, gardening equipment and any tools that can be used to break into your home, and be sure to lock your shed. It's also helpful to keep trees and shrubs trimmed so that your house is in plain view. • Use timers on interior lights when you're going to be away or just out for the evening. These can be set to turn the lights and radio or television on and off intermittently to give the appearance that someone is home. • Have a neighbour park their car in your driveway or your designated parking stall. If you have a garage, keep the door closed and locked so no one can see whether your car is gone. • Don't allow your phone to ring continually. Turn the ringer off or set your answering machine or voicemail to pick up on the second ring. Do not leave information about your absence in your outgoing message. • Install security lights around the perimeter of your house. Relatively inexpensive, they are an effective deterrent, especially if set with motion detectors. If you already have non-motion lights, look for battery- operated add-on motion sensors that can be screwed into the existing light socket and mounted near the fixture. • Where reasonable, leave shades, blinds and curtains in the positions you would keep them if you were home. You may prefer to keep ground-floor window coverings closed, but consider opening a few upstairs. • If you're travelling by car, load luggage into your vehicle in your garage if possible, away from view. • Close your car windows, lock the doors and keep the keys in a safe spot. Be sure not to leave car keys in a visible area in your house. • Update your home inventory and take photos or videos of your home's contents. This will be an enormous help should you need to make an insurance claim. n the Lived-in Look Here's how to create the illusion that someone is occupying your residence when you're away: (left) Pawan Kumar/Alamy/All Canada Photos, iStock summer 2015 bca a .com 29

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