‘My neighbour’s going away for two weeks – she made a big mistake before leaving’

When you’re going on holiday, for safety reasons, you probably shouldn’t announce it all over social media – that’s why one woman was shocked when her neighbour posted it on Facebook

Going on holiday abroad is a luxury that some of us are enjoying this summer for the first time since the pandemic, and some people are getting very overexcited at the prospect. So much so that they’re forgetting to put their safety first and are announcing on social media that they’re going away.

One woman took to Mumsnet to express her concern that her neighbour had announced on Facebook that she was going away for two weeks with her family, and therefore the property would be empty whilst she was gone. The woman noted that she didn’t just have close friends on her socials either.

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She wrote: “I think my neighbour is b***** stupid. She has just posted a picture on her Facebook of her two kids in their airport outfits outside departures with the caption ‘Off for two weeks in the sun, well deserved. I’ll have a drink for you all on the beach!’

“She’s got 400+ FB friends, very few who she is actually personally friends with (we socialise together too so I know she has a very small friends circle in real life).

“She’s basically advertised to half of our area that her house is empty for a fortnight. I messaged her and said this and she told me not to be daft and that everyone posts holiday photos. Yeah, when they get back surely?”

In an addition to the post, she noted that the family don’t even have an alarm system on their home, which confused her even more.

Others were quick to agree with the woman, saying that it wasn’t the best idea to publicly announce your departure.

One wrote: “Someone my husband works with was robbed two weeks ago while on holiday for this very reason. They came home to their patio doors boarded up and loads of their valuables and £300 missing.

“Culprit has still not been found! They have gone much quieter on social media already. They were the kind of people to post EVERYTHING. Literally every shopping trip, every weekend away, every holiday. Think they have learned their lesson.”

Another said they pretend to have a house-sitter to prevent incidents like this, writing: “I’ll sometimes post pics while we’re away or heading off but will always make sure to thank the house sitter who’s moved in. ‘I hope the master (the cat) isn’t too demanding!’

“We don’t have a house sitter of course. I don’t mind people knowing I’m having a holiday but I do mind people knowing my house is empty. Tbf, it’s cctv’d up to hell, (with notifications sent directly to mine and my husband’s phones) the neighbours are in 24/7 so keep an eye and I do have a cat sitter.

“It is silly to advertise an empty house to people you don’t know. My Facebook friends are my actual friends and family and it’s locked down tightly too.”

Others said it’s not unusual to see updates whilst people are away, commenting: “I always wait until I’m back home before putting holiday photos on Facebook. But it’s not at all unusual to see people posting holiday photos, updates, etc on social media while they’re still away.”

One Mumsnetter said it’s not just social media that invites thieves, writing: “Friends of my parents were burgled by the taxi driver who took them to the airport. He went straight back with a mate and took thousands of pounds of stuff. Caught on CCTV fortunately.

“On the very rare occasion we have had a taxi from the door we always shout something like ‘bye, I’ll let you know when we arrive’ to an empty house, and possibly mention the person who is (not) there to the taxi driver.

“I belong to an activity-based Facebook group and their advice is not to post holidays until you return.”

Do you post on social media whilst you’re away? Let us know in the comments.