Moving houses can be a stressful experience, there are so many factors that one needs to worry about, from the simple logistics to making sure that every family member is happy and taken care of. But one thing that can never be taken too seriously is the safety of yourself and everyone else who is involved with the move. Transporting heavy items of all shapes and sizes can create numerous risks, especially for someone who does not necessarily have a lot of experience moving homes. Below are some simple tips to help you and your family survive the move, and make sure that both you and all of your belongings arrive safely:
• Wear the Correct Clothing: This one is essential for a number of reasons, firstly, if you are moving during certain times of the year, it can be dangerous to wear the wrong clothes, for instance it can be quite easy to overheat if wearing heavy clothing during the summer months. It’s also important to make sure you wear clothes that are comfortable, but not too baggy, because clothing can easily get caught on boxes and other moving equipment.
• Lift Correctly: When you are in a rush it can be tempting to lift boxes and other heavy items quickly to get the process over, but this can be very dangerous, not only for yourself, but for the people around you. Make sure to bend your knees and use your leg muscles, not your back. If an item weights over 50 pounds, get a friend to help you carry it or better yet use a dolly. Also be sure to distribute the weight between your boxes evenly, so that they are all a consistent weight when you are lifting them.
• Stay Hydrated and Take Frequent Breaks: Sometimes doing strenuous work can be deceptive, especially a job such as moving where you are often starting and stopping work at a moments notice. One of the most important things you can do is stay hydrated, no matter what the temperature. Making sure to take frequent breaks will help you to stay energized and get the move done as efficiently as possible, remember, slow and steady wins the race.
• Make Sure all Paths are Clear: When moving houses it’s important to be organized, but unexpected problems often arise, this is hardly surprising when considering that you are moving all of your belongings. Pathways to the moving truck or down stairs can often become cluttered, high-traffic areas. Always make sure that you have periodically checked the main pathways through your house, and ensured that they are clear in order to prevent accidents and injuries.
• Prepare for the worst: No matter how much you prepare, unexpected things can always happen, especially in a stressful situation such as moving. The best you can do is be prepared for any situation that might occur, a good start is to stretch before the day begins and at the end of your breaks, this will keep you limber and ensure that you don’t get injured on the big day! For more serious injuries or problems, it’s extremely helpful to have a first-aid kit handy, this will allow you to have ample supplies, should things get a little more serious!
At the end of your moving process you will be thankful that you prepared for the worst, these kinds of incidents often occur at times when we least expect them, and indeed at the most inconvenient times. If you follow these helpful tips, then your move should go smoothly, and you’ll be safely settled in your new home in no time!
