Homecoming, or “mudik,” has become an annual tradition for Indonesians, especially during Eid al-Fitr. However, like in previous years, the journey is often accompanied by various challenges, from traffic jams and fatigue to technical issues that can disrupt travel. To ensure this year’s homecoming is smooth and comfortable, follow these safe travel tips for your family!
Preparations Before Homecoming
Before starting your homecoming journey, there are several things you should prepare to ensure a more comfortable and smooth trip. Here are some important steps you can take.
1. Check Your Vehicle’s Condition
If you’re traveling home using a private vehicle, make sure your car or motorcycle is in top condition. Have your vehicle serviced beforehand, including checking the oil, brakes, tires, and radiator fluid.
Also, don’t forget to bring emergency supplies such as a spare tire, jack, toolkit, and a first aid kit to prepare for any unexpected situations during the trip.
2. Book Tickets Well in Advance
If you’re using public transportation such as buses, trains, or planes, it’s best to book your tickets well in advance to avoid selling out.
Additionally, buying tickets early gives you the flexibility to choose your departure date and compare options to find the most affordable one.
3. Bring Necessary Items
Pack smartly. This means making sure you don’t forget any important items, but also avoiding overpacking beyond your capacity. Some essential items to bring include:
- Important documents (ID card, driver’s license, travel tickets, and ATM card).
- Enough clothing according to the trip’s needs.
- Personal medications and vitamins.
- Power bank and gadget chargers.
- Sufficient cash for emergencies.
- Snacks and drinking water.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Get Enough Rest
As a form of preparation, make sure to be mindful of what you eat during suhoor and iftar. Meet your nutritional needs during fasting and avoid foods that may cause digestive issues during the journey.
Additionally, getting enough rest before the trip is crucial to keep your body in top condition and prevent fatigue during the journey.
5. Ensure Your Home is Secure
Before leaving, make sure your home is secure for an extended period. Some steps you can take include:
- Lock all doors and windows securely.
- Unplug electrical devices and turn off the gas to prevent fires.
- Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house, or at least inform the security guard.
- Install CCTV or a security alarm if possible.
Also Read: 7 Simple and Practical Iftar Menus, Leaving More Time for Worship!
Safe and Comfortable Homecoming Tips for Your Journey
Once all preparations are complete, it’s time to start your homecoming journey. To ensure a comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable trip, pay attention to the following tips.
1. Choose the Right Departure Time
The departure time greatly affects the smoothness of your journey. Try to avoid peak homecoming periods to prevent getting stuck in heavy traffic.
If possible, departing at night can be a more comfortable option, especially for those who are fasting. In addition to cooler temperatures, the roads are generally less crowded than during the day.
2. Obey Traffic Rules
Safety is the top priority during your homecoming journey. Always obey traffic rules, including speed limits, road signs, and lane markings. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid accidents, and never attempt risky overtaking.
Besides ensuring safety, following traffic rules also helps you avoid the risk of getting a ticket—which can definitely ruin your mood.
3. Rest When You’re Tired
If you’re traveling with a private vehicle, don’t push yourself to keep driving when you’re tired. Take advantage of nearby rest areas to rest, pray, or simply stretch your body.
Not only your body, but your vehicle’s engine also needs a break to prevent overheating or technical issues during the trip.
4. Manage Stress Well
The homecoming journey can be exhausting, especially when facing long traffic jams. To avoid getting cranky or losing patience, prepare some entertainment to make the trip more enjoyable.
Some things you can do include chatting or playing guessing games with your family, listening to your favorite music or podcasts, watching movies, or playing games on your devices.
5. Keep Your Travel Information Updated
Always monitor your journey in real-time to anticipate any obstacles on the road. You can use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to check traffic jams, alternative routes, or current road conditions.
If you’re using public transportation, check the departure and arrival information to ensure you don’t miss your schedule!
Homecoming Tips When Traveling with Young Children
If you’re a family traveling with young children, there are some extra preparations you need to consider. Here are a few tips that can help.
1. Prepare Child-Specific Essentials
Make sure all your child’s needs are packed in a dedicated bag for easy access. Some important items to bring include:
- Diapers and wet wipes.
- Enough changes of clothes.
- Healthy snacks and formula milk.
- Basic medications and vitamins.
- Favorite toys.
- A small blanket or pillow for comfort.
2. Prepare Entertainment for Children
Long journeys can make children bored and cranky. To avoid this, you can prepare some alternative entertainment options, such as:
- Playlist of your child’s favorite songs or videos.
- Small toy that is easy to carry.
- Story books, coloring books, or busy books.
With appropriate entertainment, children will be calmer and the trip will be more enjoyable.
3. Pay attention to children’s safety and health.
Child safety is a top priority during homecoming travel. Here are some steps you can take to keep your child safe and healthy during the trip:
- Use a car seat for children when traveling in a private car.
- Use a car seat for children when traveling in a private car.
- Make sure you always hold your child’s hand when in public so they don’t get separated.
- Give your child an ID bracelet with their name and parent’s contact information as a precaution.
4. Recognize the Signs of Sleepiness, Tiredness, or Hunger
Tired, hungry, or sleepy children tend to be fussy. Believe it or not, this can disrupt the comfort of all passengers.
Therefore, make sure your little one doesn’t go hungry by bringing him snacks and ensuring he doesn’t miss meals, arrange a rest schedule so his sleep isn’t disturbed, and bring something that makes your little one more comfortable—such as his favorite doll, pillow, or blanket.
5. Be Flexible and Adaptive
Finally, echoing the advice mentioned on the Swiss-Belhotel International website, traveling with small children is often unpredictable. They can suddenly become fussy, get motion sickness, and change plans mid-flight.
Therefore, be flexible and adaptable to any situation that arises during the trip. Only then can you and your family continue to enjoy the trip and focus on the moments together.
So, those are some safe homecoming tips that can make this Eid holiday smoother. However, as a business owner, we understand that you may still need to monitor your business operations even when you’re away from your place of business.
Fortunately, with the Labamu app, you can monitor sales data, inventory, and view financial reports in real time. Ready to travel and stay connected with your business? Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. and enjoy the convenience of managing your business from anywhere!
