Safe Homecoming Tips with Family – Start Preparing Now!
March 19, 2025
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Homecoming (mudik) has become an annual tradition for Indonesians, especially during Eid al-Fitr. However, just like in previous years, the journey home often comes with various challenges, such as traffic congestion, fatigue, and technical issues that can disrupt travel. To ensure a smooth and comfortable trip this time, check out these safe travel tips for you and your family!
Preparation Before Traveling Home (Mudik)
Before starting your homecoming trip, there are several things you need to prepare to ensure a more comfortable and smooth journey. 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. Get a maintenance check beforehand, including oil, brakes, tires, and radiator fluid.
Additionally, don’t forget to bring emergency supplies such as a spare tire, jack, toolkit, and a first aid kit to anticipate any unexpected situations on the road.
2. Book Tickets in Advance
If you’re using public transportation such as buses, trains, or flights, it’s best to book your tickets well in advance to avoid running out of seats.
Additionally, purchasing tickets early gives you more flexibility in choosing departure dates and comparing prices to find the most affordable option.
3. Bring Only the Essentials
Pack smartly—make sure you don’t forget important items, but also avoid overpacking beyond your capacity. Some essential items to bring include:
Important documents (ID card, driver’s license, travel tickets, and ATM card).
Enough clothing suitable for your trip.
Personal medications and vitamins.
Power bank and gadget chargers.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet and Get Enough Rest
As part of your preparation, be mindful of what you eat during suhoor and iftar. Ensure you get proper nutrition while fasting and avoid foods that may cause digestive issues during the trip.
Additionally, getting enough rest before your journey is crucial to keep your body in top condition and prevent fatigue while traveling.
5. Ensure Home Security
Before leaving, make sure your home is secure while you're away for an extended period. Here are some steps you can take:
Lock all doors and windows tightly.
Unplug electrical appliances and turn off the gas to prevent fire hazards.
Inform a trusted neighbor or at least notify the security personnel in your area.
Install CCTV or a security alarm if possible.
Also Read: 7 Simple and Practical Iftar Menus, So You Have More Time for Worship!
Safe and Comfortable Travel Tips for Your Journey Home
After making all the necessary preparations, it's time to begin your journey home. To ensure a smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable trip, keep these tips in mind.
1.Choose the Right Departure Time
The timing of your departure greatly affects the smoothness of your journey. Try to avoid peak travel times to prevent getting stuck in heavy traffic.
If possible, traveling at night can be a more comfortable option, especially for those fasting. Nighttime travel offers cooler temperatures and generally less congestion compared to daytime.
2. Obey Traffic Regulations
Safety should always be the top priority during your trip. Follow traffic rules, including speed limits, road signs, and lane markings. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to avoid accidents, and never recklessly overtake other cars.
Besides ensuring safety, obeying traffic laws also helps you avoid getting fined—which can surely ruin your mood during the journey.
3.Take a Break When Tired
If you're driving your own vehicle, don’t push yourself to keep going when you're already feeling exhausted. Use the nearest rest area to take a break, pray, or simply stretch your body.
Not only does your body need rest, but your vehicle’s engine also requires a break to prevent overheating or mechanical issues during the trip.
4. Manage Stress Effectively
Mudik trips can be exhausting, especially when facing long traffic jams. To avoid getting cranky or losing patience, prepare some entertainment to make the journey more enjoyable.
You can chat or play guessing games with family, listen to your favorite music or podcasts, watch movies, or play games on your device.
5. Monitor Traffic Conditions in Real-Time
Always keep track of the road conditions to anticipate any obstacles during your trip. Use navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze to check congestion points, alternative routes, and the latest traffic updates.
If you're traveling by public transport, make sure to check departure and arrival schedules so you don’t miss your ride!
Tips for Traveling Home with Young Children
If you're traveling with young children, there are extra preparations you need to consider. Here are some tips to help make the journey smoother.
1. Prepare Essential Items for Your Child
Make sure all your child’s necessities are packed in a special bag for easy access during the trip. Some essential items to bring include:
Diapers and wet wipes
Enough spare clothes
Healthy snacks and formula milk
Basic medications and vitamins
Favorite toys
A blanket or small pillow for comfort
2. Prepare Entertainment for Your Child
Long trips can make children bored and fussy. To prevent this, you can prepare some entertainment options such as:
A playlist of their favorite songs or videos
Small, easy-to-carry toys
Storybooks, coloring books, or busy books
With the right entertainment, your child will stay calm, making the journey more enjoyable.
3. Pay Attention to Your Child’s Safety and Health
Your child’s safety is the top priority during the trip. Here are some steps to keep them safe and healthy:
Use a car seat if traveling by private vehicle.
Have them wear earmuffs on flights to reduce air pressure discomfort.
Always hold their hand in public places to prevent getting separated.
Provide them with an ID bracelet with their name and parent’s contact information as a precaution.
4. Recognize Signs of Sleepiness, Fatigue, or Hunger
A tired, hungry, or sleepy child is more likely to become fussy, which can affect the comfort of everyone on the trip.
To prevent this, make sure your little one doesn’t go hungry by bringing snacks and keeping meal times on schedule. Plan rest breaks to maintain their sleep routine, and bring comfort items like a favorite stuffed toy, pillow, or blanket to help them feel at ease.
5. Be Flexible and Adaptable
Finally, as highlighted on the Swiss-Belhotel International website, traveling with young children can be unpredictable. They may suddenly become fussy, experience motion sickness, or cause plans to change unexpectedly.
That’s why it’s important to stay flexible and adapt to any situation that arises during the journey. By doing so, you and your family can still enjoy the trip and focus on creating meaningful moments together.
So, those are the safe travel tips to ensure a smooth and hassle-free Lebaran journey. However, as a business owner, we understand that you may still need to monitor your business operations even while you're away.
Fortunately, with the Labamu app, you can track sales data, manage inventory, and review financial reports in real time. Ready to travel while staying connected to your business? Download the app now on Google Play or the App Store and enjoy the convenience of managing your business from anywhere!
