Some Criminals Use Facebook
to Plan Home Burglaries
N
ow that vacation season is here, Wheat State Telephone wants to remind you not to
post information on Facebook that could tip off burglars to your absence. People
who are not at all your friends could be actively searching Facebook for keywords to let
them know your home is empty and an easy target. This warning is especially true for
those of you who have hundreds of Facebook friends, some of whom you accepted as
friends without really knowing them.
In your excitement about your vacation, your first impulse may be to share every detail
on Facebook (or other social media sites). It’s natural to want to brag a little about how
much fun you’re having at the beach, on the cruise, or in the city. But posting this infor-
mation while you’re gone can make you a target for home burglaries. It’s much smarter
and safer to wait until you’re back home to put those vacation photos.
According to FBI statistics, summer is traditionally the season with the most burglaries,
so it makes sense to be extra vigilant about protecting your property now. In addition
to always locking your doors and using appropriate lighting, be cautious with what you
reveal on social media.
To reduce your odds of becoming a victim, security experts also that you be particularly
careful if you’re a new user of Facebook and want to quickly build up your network. Don’t
let this goal get in the way of good judgment when it comes to accepting friend requests.
When you get one, check to make sure the person is actually a friend of someone you know
personally. In addition, don’t post dates of your upcoming vacation.
For more important tips, “Like” us on Facebook. New information is
posted every week.
Summer Solstice
Celebrations
The solstice heralds the start of sum-
mer in the Northern Hemisphere,
when the sun reaches its farthest
point north of the equator. Through-
out history, this longest day of the
year was given great significance and
people celebrated with festivals and
other observances. Here’s a look at a
few of them:
Ancient Greeks
One festival held around this time cel-
ebrated Cronus, the agriculture god.
The summer solstice also marked the
one-month countdown to the open-
ing of the Olympic games.
Ancient Romans
Right before the summer solstice,
ancient Romans celebrated the Vesta-
lia festival, paying tribute to Vesta, the
goddess of the hearth.
Ancient Chinese
The ancient Chinese participated in a
ceremony on the summer solstice to
honor the earth, femininity, and the
force known as yin. It complemented
the winter solstice ritual, which was
devoted to the heavens, masculinity,
and yang.
Native Americans
Many Native American tribes took
part in centuries-old midsummer
rituals, some of which are still prac-
ticed today. The Sioux, for instance,
performed a ceremonial sun dance
around a tree.
In 2014, the summer solstice falls on
June 21. Enjoy this extra-long day!
Wheat State Telephone • 800-442-6835 •
