The Home While Everyone’s Gone

CEBU, Philippines - All Souls’ Day is a big thing in closely knit families. It is the time for paying respects again for departed loved ones. It is an occasion for being physically close once more to deceased family members.

And so visiting the graves of dear departed on All Souls’ Day is planned way in advance, especially in terms of who are going, what to bring, what time to go, how long to stay etc. Family members often focus too much on food and drinks, medical provisions for their sick and elderly, flowers, candles. All attention is on the cemetery – less care is allotted for the home they leave behind when they go.

There have been so many cases of break-ins reported on days like All Souls’ Day, when the whole family is out. Bad elements would only wait for the main-door lock to click as the house residents head off to the cemetery. And then the burglars have their field day.

Much as the time in the cemetery shall be well planned and properly prepared for, the house shall also be made secure. The Philippine National Police suggests certain measures to observe for people going to the cemetery with no one left at home:

¦ Lock all doors and windows.

¦ If possible, install a burglar alarm to alert neighbors of a break-in.

¦ Ask a neighbor to check on your house every now and then when you’re away, and give the time you intend to come home.

¦ Unplug all electrical appliances to prevent fires.

¦ Leave a battery-operated radio on to trick robbers into thinking that there are people inside the home and hence, discourage them from entering.

¦ Keep expensive items inside the home, like bicycles or laundry.

It is even better to contract someone trustworthy to watch over the house while everyone is away, especially if the family’s absence is going to take a whole day or two. The guy may even be tasked to do simple house chores while he or she is there. Paying for the guy’s presence and service is for sure way too little a cost compared with the potential loss if burglars broke into and ransacked the house.

Taking precaution when leaving the house may seem simple common sense, but it’s amazing how it is often neglected. The sad result is an unattended house that invites burglars.

Lean Arnoco (FREEMAN)