Health Tips

So, you’re going back to your Kampung this year?

We would like you to have not just an enjoyable trip back home but also to ensure your journey throughout is safe and go as smoothly as possible.

So here are five useful tips you can follow as you journey on.

1. Service your car beforehand

Before leaving for a long journey, make sure you get your car road-trip ready too.

Get a mechanic to give your car a full inspection (preferably a week or two before you hit the road). But if you’ve been too preoccupied with other things and forgot to do so earlier, you should at least get prior basic checks on your car. Some important car checklist to note include:

• Making sure the pressure on all your tires are well-balanced and aligned

• Ensure all fluids in the car are topped up, i.e. oil, battery water, radiator water, brake fluids etc.

• Test your headlights, rear lights, brake lights, indicators and horns to ensure it is intact and in good shape for the road.

2. Make sure you have all the essentials

Apart from making sure that you have all your necessities like travel documents and GPS system in check, bear in mind also to keep the Emergency Car Kit handy. This also includes First Aid Supplies Kit.

It might not seem as important to many people but you might never know when you will need it.

As the saying goes, “better be safe than sorry”

3. Make sure you are well-rested

I think this one is kind of a no-brainer as everybody knows how important it is to get enough rest before any road-trip.

Fatigue is one of the main causes of road accidents and it can simply be avoided by just getting enough rest.

So to avoid feeling drowsy while driving, go to bed earlier in the night before and get at least 8 good hours of sleep.

4. Have a back-up driver

We know you will do everything you possibly can to stay alert, especially when you’re taking the wheel. A cup of coffee and some good energetic music can do the trick.

But sometimes you can’t help but feel tired or sore from driving too long. So having a partner who can take over the wheel while you nap would really be beneficial, and it saves time too.

5. Too tired? Make a pit stop at the nearest RnR

If you are feeling tired, heavy-eyed or drowsy and have no one to take over the wheel, pull over at the nearest RnR and take some rest. Do not ignore the signals.

Driving in an unfit condition puts you, your family and other road users at risk. So take rest if you have to.

Remember, always drive safe!!

We at DOC2US would like to wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Haji!

References:

1. Learn My Protection. (2016). Balik Kampung – 5 Important Tips To Make It Through The Exodus. [online] Available at: https://learnmyprotection.com/balik-kampung-5-important-tips-to-make-it-through-the-exodus/.

2. Tan, L. (2019). 6 Safety Hacks When You Balik Kampung for Raya (2019) | CompareHero. [online] CompareHero.my. Available at: https://www.comparehero.my/sponsored-content/articles/6-safety-hacks-when-you-balik-kampung-for-raya-2019.

3. Nunis, G. (2013). Balik Kampung: Safety Precautions for Hari Raya. [online] Lipstiq.com. Available at: https://www.lipstiq.com/2013/48749/balik-kampung-safety-precautions-for-hari-raya/.

Image credit:

1. https://www.thesundaily.my/binrepository/768x437/0c3/768d432/none/11808/FXPO/6_010_c2300774_17620_369_ARCH454580_MG695830.jpg

2. https://carwad.net/sites/default/files/car-mechanic-pictures-121238-9216426.jpg

3. https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Rqv8by6guuRjy1Xdq6yAwpXak/Multi-function-emergency-kit-portable-car-bag.jpg_350x350.jpg

4. https://d2v9y0dukr6mq2.cloudfront.net/video/thumbnail/BneeLTZeWj2kb7os5/videoblocks-a-resting-driver-poking-his-feet-out-of-the-window_syf8yfr90f_thumbnail-small12.jpg

5. https://karangkraf-asset-files.s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/Maskulin/47bbeee6f03b4b64a55be5b25c70e59b/2123737889_1c87537dfb_b.jpg

       6. https://i1.wp.com/www.whatsupfagans.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/best-audiobooks-for-family-road-trip.jpg?resize=1024%2C538&ssl=1

Written by

Dr. Jeanrette J. Nierras