When an emergency situation comes along, catching up with friends and family on Facebook could be the last thing on your mind. Plus, in the aftermath of disaster, your ability to get online is likely to be restricted at best.
However, social media outlets—if you can access them—could prove to be a vital way of staying in touch with the community and seeking out ongoing developments. But if you do decide to use them to reach out, be careful—bad guys could still use them to reach you.
Home Security Mistakes
Recently, there have been a number of reported burglaries resulting from carelessness on behalf of the property owner. Israel Hyman of Arizona was one of those victims, and after a significant break-in at his home in 2009, the video podcaster was in no doubt that his unfortunate tweeting had led to the loss of several thousand dollars’ worth of business equipment.
“My wife thinks it could be a random thing, but I just have my suspicions,” he told the Associated Press. “They didn’t take any of our normal consumer electronics.”
Mr. Hyman had broadcast a number of tweets telling each of his 2,000 followers that he was out of town. Several updates over the course of the day in question are likely to have led to the break in.
And this is far from an isolated case—a survey in the UK among convicted burglars revealed that 80% of them had used social media to target new victims.
“We’re living in the age of the digital criminal, and people are taking advantage of social media to access information about would-be victims,” said reformed burglar Richard Taylor.
“We’ll tell them even when we’re going away on holidays. We will let them know that we’re not in. We’re inviting them… round to our house.”
When Emergencies Strike
Being at the center of a disaster zone is a far cry from a well-earned vacation. But both situations require equivalent vigilance when it comes to sharing things online.
Following a natural disaster, sites like Twitter and Facebook could act as a lifeline. Rather than tweeting about the delicious steak you ate last night, these portals could be invaluable for tracing loved ones and for rebuilding the local community. They can also be helpful tools for those needing to locate helpful supplies. The problem arises when you become careless about your own stockpiles.
Don’t Boast
In a state of emergency, it’s safe to assume that an increased level of lawlessness is likely to take place. Those who haven’t followed the advice given in the American Preppers Network site will be desperate for essentials, even if the media may focus on those looting luxury goods.
In an extended emergency situation, lack of rations and water is an even greater emergency—so imagine how desperate people will react if you use social media sites to brag about your heavily stocked water supply.
Your exact location can be tracked through photos or through your status update history, and your property will soon fall under siege.
So the first rule of post disaster tweeting is to keep a low profile: protect your updates so that only your approved followers can access them and better still, just don’t make any comments on social media during a state of emergency. Become a Twitter ‘lurker’ and read any vital news updates while keeping you, your family and your property safe. And, if you do have to leave your home for any reason, don’t broadcast the fact for everyone to read.
We’ve seen how thieves take advantage of errant site updates during everyday life, and an increased use of Facebook and Twitter to plan crimes during natural disasters must surely be inevitable.
It’s Not All Bad News
Social media websites can potentially be harmful to your safety, but they can also be vital in the aftermath of a disaster. Just remember to follow the right people and you can tune in to essential news updates that could save your life.
Staying Secure
There is still a place for traditional home security in the aftermath of a disaster, so arm your home with the best home security system your budget can reach. It will act as your main deterrent during these safe periods, and when emergencies strike it remains a vital part of your defense.
With an effective system in place, you can follow a number of additional steps to protect your property that are specifically intended to be used in the aftermath of a disaster.
Be Prepared, But Be Cautious
If you are ready for the worst then you’ll have been following advice given to Preppers. But you may realize, having read this article, that you’ve already been a little too active on Twitter and Facebook by telling the virtual world just how prepared you are.
If you have a safe shelter and a vast stockpile of supplies, that’s great—but who else knows about it? If you don’t want to be somebody’s back up plan when it comes to food, water and other supplies, you should consider starting your campaign of silence right away.
How will you prevent thieves from targeting your home in the wake of a disaster?
This post was written by Kevin Raposo, a blogger for SimpliSafe Wireless Security Systems. Kevin typically covers issues related to security, crime, and tech. When he’s not keeping his social media profile under wraps, he’s usually hiking, playing the drums, or just hanging out with friends.
The post How Social Media Can Put You At Risk When Emergency Strikes appeared first on American Preppers Network.