9 Things Home Security Experts Never Do When They Leave Their Homes

Whether you’re going on an extended trip or just heading to work for the day, there are things you may (or may not) do when you leave that can actually compromise your home’s safety.

“[Some] actions, or lack thereof, can significantly increase the risk of a burglary by providing information or access to potential intruders,” Gene Petrino , a retired SWAT commander and co-founder of Survival Response LLC, told HuffPost. “By addressing these vulnerabilities, you can regain control and better safeguard your home against unauthorized entry and possible theft.”

From posting real-time location updates on social media to leaving your key under the front door mat, we talked to home security experts about what they don’t do — and what they do instead — to protect their own homes while they’re away.

1. Posting your real-time location on social media

“[I would never post] that I’m going on vacation, out for the night, to a Taylor Swift concert, etc.,” said Rebecca Edwards, safety expert at SafeWise. “Don’t let the world know your every move.”

She referred back to “Bling Ring,” when celebrities posted on social media that they were at an awards show or on vacation, and teens broke into their homes when they knew they’d be empty.

Posting pictures of your vacation is safer to do once you return home instead of in real-time updates, advised Kirk MacDowell, home security expert at Batten Safe .

“If you’re going out of town and you want to see friends, social media is fine if it’s person-to-person,” he added. “But I really wouldn’t blast out that you’re going away.”

2. Forgetting to lock windows and doors and turn on the alarm system

“It’s shocking how often people do this and the number of burglaries … that take place because