Imagine returning from a blissful vacation, only to find your home has been ransacked and your possessions stolen. Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common when vacationers unwittingly invite burglars by sharing too much information on social media.

At the Usapang Rehiyon Kapihan, hosted by the Regional Office of the Philippine Information Agency-Mimaropa on April 27, Oriental Mindoro PDRRMO Training Officer Ivy Kristine Basco called on the public to take precautions to ensure their safety while enjoying their vacation.

“Lock all the windows and doors of your home. As much as possible, use burglar alarms or install CCTV cameras,” Basco said.

But that’s not all — she also warned against posting vacation photos on social media, as it alerts criminals to the fact that your home is unoccupied.

“The use of social media such as photo sharing is a distraction from your vacation,” Basco added.

She also shared tips for dealing with common travel-related health emergencies, particularly during the mid-summer season when heat exhaustion and heat stroke are prevalent.

“People don’t need to be afraid during the holidays because tourism officers, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers are always ready for the welfare of the travelers,” she said.

The month of April is observed as Vacation Hazards Prevention Month.