New social media followers

Burglars don't necessarily need to physically visit a house to figure out when it's unoccupied these days. Many people openly share personal information on social media, broadcasting where they are, who they are with, and, by implication, when their home is vacant to the rest of the globe.

Avoid sharing such personal details on social media or other platforms. According to a Special Report by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, at least 65 percent of household burglaries are committed by someone the victim knows. So, statistically, you're more likely to be burgled by a Facebook buddy than by a random stranger!

Keep a lookout for new followers on social media. Any stranger on Twitter, for example, could follow you just to find out when you're not at home. This is especially prevalent over the holidays when burglars anticipate that individuals would be away from their homes for work Christmas parties and other social engagements.