Do you hire a housesitter when you're going on vacation?

This family went on a vacation over the Holidays. They come home to find the locks changed & an unknown man living in their house & threatening them with harm if they don’t go away. Fortunately for them, the law took their side & they will be getting their home back although it comes with a lot of headache!!! I have one family who goes away for Christmas every year & I house & dog sit for them yearly. I remember reading last year of a family who the courts ruled that the squatters had rented their house in good faith & allowed the squatters to remain in the house a year later. Do you take extra precautions to protect your property when you’re going out of town???