Secure the House Before Leaving for Homecoming

The police opened their offices to store valuables such as motorbikes. Emergency number 112 please remember.

KOMPAS/ELOK DYAH MESSWATI

Yaya Auliyati (center) and Mutiara Adinda (right) are giving food and drinks for breaking the fast to security personnel in the Baiti Jannati cluster of the Villa Ilhami housing complex in Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten, on Sunday (19/5/2019).

Akhir Mala (32), a resident of the Telaga Harmony Residence housing complex, Cikarang, West Java, long ago registered his house with the neighborhood chairman to be guarded during going home. He and other residents together collected IDR 40,000 per house to pay for additional security guard services during the Eid homecoming period.

Also read: Houses left home are prone to crime and fire

"Previously there was no additional money, then there were lots of cases of theft. Finally, it started to be withdrawnmoney security to residents who were going home to add "i>people are guarding the complex during Eid," said Mala, Wednesday (3/4/2024).

One of the most important things that must be done in preparing for 'mudik' is to secure the house so it is ready to be left during the journey. Various efforts are made, ranging from paying for housekeeping services to entrusting it to neighbors who are not going on the trip.

This initiative was started by residents five years ago because there had been a theft in an empty house which had been abandoned by people returning home. Therefore, they added security guards from two to three. During the Eid holiday, they patrolled around the housing complex.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Amin, a security officer of the complex, questioned the package deliverer before allowing them to pass through the residential area in the Bintaro region of Pondok Aren, South Tangerang, Banten on Friday (25/2/2022).

In addition, she usually brings her motorbike and bicycle into the house before going on a homecoming trip. Then, Mala turns off all electronic appliances to avoid running out of electricity tokens, turns off the tap, and unplugs the gas for safety.

After everything is ready, Mala, together with her husband and child, will depart for the annual exodus using their private car to Kudus and Solo, Central Java, on Sunday (4/7/2024). For her, returning to her hometown during Eid al-Fitr is the most eagerly awaited tradition. She does not mind having to pay an additional security fee to keep her house safe.

Leave it to a neighbor

In addition to paying for security services, entrusting the protection of homes to neighbors is also an option. A good social relationship between residents will make this choice more affordable or even free.

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Dinar Surya Oktarini (29), a resident of Pelita 1 housing complex, Depok, West Java, was entrusted with a house by her neighbor who wanted to go on a homecoming trip. The culture of house-sitting has long existed in their environment, so it is not a problem if the house is left empty while the owner is away.

"⁠So far, there has been no advice or policy that is what to do. Most people are told to turn on the terrace lights, unplug the electricity and just open the gas hose," said Dinar.

DOKUMENTASI POLRES METRO JAKARTA BARAT

The evidence is in the form of a motorbike which was successfully seized by the Kebon Jeruk Police.

Head of the Public Information Bureau of the National Police's Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, appealed to people returning home Eid 2024 to report to local environmental administrators so that they record empty houses. The police also opened their office to store valuables, for example motorbikes belonging to travelers.

"Please start from the Polsek, Polres, and Polda levels according to their respective capacities. The management of valuable assets such as empty houses, vehicles, or others will be regulated for security purposes," said Trunoyudo on Monday (1/4/2024).

According to Trunoyudo, the police, through the Ketupat 2024 operation, have been on guard to secure empty houses left by travelers. This is considering the number of people moving during Eid will reach 193.6 million people or 71.7 percent of Indonesia's population.

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Jakarta residents who need help from fire extinguishers can contact Jakarta Siaga 112

Home security tips

The Jakarta Fire and Rescue Agency (Gulkarmat) also urges travelers to ensure that the homes they live in are safe from potential fires. Residential buildings are the objects that are most prone to fires, with the suspected cause being electrical short circuits.

Therefore, residents need to regularly check their electrical installations and immediately replace them if the cables or devices are already peeled off or damaged. Residents are also asked to remove the regulator from the gas cylinder and unplug the socket if they are not in use.

Afterwards, residents must report their homecoming after Idul Fitri to the neighborhood RT/RW management or security officers. If necessary, entrust the house key to a trusted person so that the house can be accessed in case of an emergency.

Residents of Jakarta who need assistance from firefighters can contact Jakarta Siaga 112 (toll-free) or come to the nearest Dinas Gulkarmat Sector Post if they experience or witness an emergency situation.