A Survival Guide to Philippine Cemeteries during All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day

Filipinos celebrate All Souls’ and All Saints’ day by visiting the graves of deceased relatives. Cemeteries are the most beautiful during All Souls’ day and All Saints’ day – glowing with lit candles, adorned with fresh flowers, enliven by the laughter and soft chatter of friends and families remembering their departed loved ones.

However, it is also during these days that the chance of safety risks and emergencies gets higher because of the expected onrush of the people. The Philippine Red Cross wants you to keep these safety reminders with you when visiting cemeteries.

 

Image grabbed from piamercado.wordpress.com

 

En route to the Cemetery

1. Bring an umbrella, a face towel, a fan and water to avoid heat cramps or heat exhaustion.
2. If you bring a car, make sure that you check it, the water in radiator, battery, gas, oil, breaks, tool kit, flashlight, food and first aid kit.
3. Park your car near a guard or police station to avoid car napping.

Inside the Cemetery

1.  It is best to go to the cemetery early in the morning before or after November 1 to avoid huge crowds.
2. Avoid drinking liquor.
3. Avoid bringing unnecessary sharp objects.
4. Avoid bringing children inside the cemetery as they might get lost.
5. In case of minor wounds, clean the wounded area with soap and water before applying antiseptics like povidone iodine (not alcohol), and cover the wound with gauze.
6. In case of severe bleeding, apply direct pressure over the wound using gauze and bring the patient to the hospital or to a nearby first aid station inside the cemetery.
7. In case of contusion, apply ice compress over the area for more than 20 minutes intermittently.
8. In case of fainting, do not give ammonia to the patient. Instead, let him/her lie, with feet raised 8-12 inches above. If the patient is conscious, ventilate him/her, loosen his/her tight clothing and give him beverage.
9. In case of chest pain, transport the patient to the hospital.
10. In case of cramps, apply cold compress, rest the affected area and elevate, if possible. Have the victim stretch out the affected muscle to counteract the cramp. Massage the cramped muscle firmly but gently. Seek medical help if cramps persist.

To Avoid Incidents of Snatching or Holdup

1. To avoid being snatched, avoid wearing jewelries, talking over the phone and texting in a crowded area.
2. When waiting for a public utility vehicle, do not stay in a dark area to avoid being held up.
3. Do not sleep inside the taxi.
4. It is best to call for a company taxi in case you will go home alone. Make sure to get the plate number of the taxi and give it to a friend in case an untoward incident happens.
5. Lock all doors once inside the taxi to prevent “bukas kotse gang” (open car gang) from declaring holdup.

 

Source: redcross.org.ph