Our smart phones, digital cameras, and social media sites, could be putting you and your family's safety at risk. All it takes is one uploaded photo or a "check in" at your current location to leave you vulnerable.

Sometimes people don't think about the fact that just one photo or “check in” can tell scammers and crooks you’re out of town, you just got a flat screen, and won't be home for a few days.

"I've known people that have gotten robbed because they could they were going on vacation on their Facebook," one Colorado Springs resident said.

Consider your next Facebook post or Tweet. Are you sharing more information than you realize?
Experts told us you should delay uploading pictures until you get home, and turn off the automatic locating functions. Posting pictures in real time lets others know you're not home.

"I don't put a lot on Facebook that I don't want a lot of people to know," one Springs mom told us.

"There's a lot of weirdos out there, I'm definitely more cautious," another agreed.

Be cautious of where you "check in". Telling everyone where you're shopping or dining may be alerting thieves to the goodies in your car's trunk. Instead, consider “checking-in” as you leave.

"Just try to cover up (your stuff) as best as possible so no one looks in and is like 'oh that looks nice I'll take that one,’" a Springs resident said.

Don't broadcast expensive gifts you’ve bought or received, essentially telling or showing people what's in your home or car.

"We just go straight home, we don't have it parked in a shopping center or something if we have stuff in the back," one Teller County resident told us.

Something else to remember, if you do go out of town, stop your paper delivery and set-up timers for some lights.

To help prevent theft, Allstate gives you some recommends as well.
Consider the following precautions when using social media this holiday season:

•Turn off automatic locating functions. Most social media sites with geo-location and tracking functionalities have options to turn them off.

•Review your privacy settings. Make sure you understand who you are broadcasting your information to each time you post. If you are not comfortable with what people can see about you, change your settings.

•Delay uploading pictures until returning home. Thieves may be able to view details about smart phone pictures, such as where the picture was taken and at what time. Posting pictures in real time lets others know you're not at home.

•Be aware of photo and video backgrounds. Avoid making videos that reveal house numbers, identifying auto or other information telling others exactly where you live.

•Be careful of where you "check in." If checking in at various locations as you shop or dine, use precaution. You may be alerting a thief to goodies in your car's trunk.
Consider checking-in as you leave or at every other location.

•@SafetyTip: Keep your #travel plans offline. Although it may be hard not to start the long-awaited vacation countdown or brag to friends with a photo from the beach, this information also can tell thieves when you're away. Save the vacation details for your return.

•If you must update, don't be specific. If you stop updating while on vacation, will friends and followers immediately fear the worst and contact the authorities? If so, just post a quick update that says you'll be offline for a while.

•Maintain that lived-in look. While traveling, take precautions to deter burglars. Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway, stop paper delivery, set-up timers for household lights, and lock up.

•Keep expensive gifts quiet. Despite excitement about the new tablet or gaming system received this year, resist the temptation to post updates about any big ticket items new to the household. Instead, update your home inventory to include them.

•Don't provide personal information. Never post your home address or birth year on a social networking site, regardless of your privacy settings. And, don't assume that because your information isn't online that a thief can't find you or make you vulnerable to identity theft.
Many people aren't aware of the information they may be inadvertently sharing when they post updates or images on social networking sites; information that could be good for bad people. By using a little extra caution and common sense, you can help keep your home, your car and your identity safe.