There will be two long weekends marking All Saint’s Day and the Muslim celebration of Eidul Adha. During these holidays, many Filipinos troop to cemeteries and vacation spots, leaving their houses and other properties unattended.
These instances leave opportunities for criminals to undertake their evil plans. The most common crime against property during holidays is akyat bahay, which collectively refer to theft or robbery in the victim’s abode. It literally means climbing a house with the objective of forcing an opening through the window or the wall and stealing.
Usually undertaken by three to five people, the perpetrators eye houses that are unoccupied either because its owners are on vacation or somewhere else. Here are some preventive measures that you can implement to thwart akyat bahay crime syndicates:
1. If you have a choice, don’t leave your house unattended. If you don’t have a choice, make it appear that someone is inside you house. You can leave the lights on in certain rooms and even play some music to depict your presence.
2. Have your property maintain an inconspicuous appearance. Don’t leave valuable things in your driveway. No flashy bicycles or expensive toys lying on your doorstep. This will encourage robbers to go for your more attractive neighbors.
3. Secure your doors and windows. Lock your doors even when you’re inside the house. Install multiple locks to delay robbers. Change your locks when you lose your keys.
4. Get a dog to guard your home. If you don’t have a dog, have at least a sign that says you do. The risk of getting bitten by a dog may be enough to deter some robbers from entering your house.
5. Coordinate efforts to safeguard your home with your trusted neighbors. You can set up a system to watch over each other’s houses when in vacation. Organize neighborhood watchmen at night.
6. Consider installing a security system in your home, depending on your budget. If you can’t afford a sophisticated system, you can put up a simple burglar alarm or motion sensor lighting system.
