The month is almost over and everyone’s already gearing up for the upcoming All Saints and All Souls’ Day. If you are planning to visit your deceased loved ones’ graves to pay your respects along with the thousands of others who will be flocking local cemeteries on November 1 and 2, here are some tips to keep your “Undas” experience as safe and hassle-free as possible.
Photo of a cemetery
Photo by: Brian Clift
Leaving the House
- If you are going to leave and nobody will be left to tend to the house, make sure that every entrance is properly secured. That includes windows, doors, and even small and seemingly harmless spaces that burglars can crawl through.
- Avoid leaving tell-tale signs that no one is or would be at home such as turning off all the lights, leaving notes posted on doors or windows, or posting your holiday plans on social networking sites.
- If you must leave your keys somewhere, try not to hide it in obvious places that would-be burglars are likely to check like your doormat or one of your flower pots.
- Make sure you don’t leave any unattended candles, appliances, gas stoves, or anything else that could start a fire.
- If your neighbors would be staying at their homes, try to ask them if they could watch over your house while you’re gone. Better yet, try to ask relatives who won’t be going to the cemetery to “house sit” for you for a bit.
Traveling
- Avoid wearing fancy jewelry that could attract the attention of robbers or carrying expensive gadgets that can be easily snatched, especially if you’ll be sitting near windows where you can be an easy target for snatchers.
- If you would be bringing a lot of baggage with you, make sure you know exactly how many bags or boxes you have with you so you can keep track of them as you move along.
- Do not leave your belongings unattended, especially those that contain important items. Sometimes, a couple of seconds are all it take for criminal elements to do their thing.
- Do not place your valuables in one place. If possible, place different amounts of money in different bags or boxes. This is to ensure that should something happen to one of your bags, you’ll still have back-ups that you can use in case of emergency.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings. Criminal elements usually attack when your guard is at its lowest, so try to avoid unnecessary activities or distractions as much as possible. This include taking lengthy naps during the trip, playing with your phone or other gadgets, or listening to music on full blast. That doesn’t mean you should not use them altogether, but as much as possible, try to keep their use to a minimum.
Visiting the Cemetery
- Alcoholic beverages, weapons or bladed objects, and loud speakers are usually prohibited inside the cemetery, so make sure you leave them at home.
- Keep an eye for children or elderly companions. It’s easy to get lost among the crowd, so make sure they’re always with you. If possible, provide them with IDs that list down their names, addresses, and contact persons in case of emergency so they can easily be identified if they got lost.
- Bring sufficient supply of food and water with you. Heat stroke and fainting due to fatigue and hunger usually occur during trips to crowded cemeteries, so try to stay full and hydrated.
These are just some basic tips, though. Different situations might call for different measures, so the key is being vigilant at all times. For additional tips for the upcoming “Undas” you can also check out this photo from the Philippine Information Agency.
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