Moving Safety Tips
If I ask what the word safety means to you – in the context of a busy house move – what do you think of? Protecting your fragile belongings? Preserving the quality of your treasured antiques? These are important considerations, to be sure. But one of the critical things many people overlook, particularly if they are not using movers, is personal safety. In fact, even when professional movers are on site, there are safety measures to keep in place. Think of it: packing…moving…unpacking, sometimes over a period of several days or weeks! Moving is emotionally and physically demanding. Please take the time and precautions to prepare your home, inside and outside, and keep your family safe.
Here the experts at You Move Me provide tips that will give you peace of mind to know you’ve made safety a priority.
Create space and remove hazards. Clear all indoor hallways of floor litter and boxes that could impede movement. Each room should have boxes organized in neat piles and clear pathways to the main arteries leading outside the house. Walk along indoor hallways, doorjambs, and stairs watching for protruding nails, pieces of wood or other hazards. Outdoors, remove any ground debris and trim back overgrown shrubs or trees along the move path that could snag passersby. Have the moving truck parked in an open space with easy access to a main entrance to the house.
Have the right equipment. Two essential tools that prove valuable for movers are dollies for heavy lifting and non-stick mats for preventing falls. If you hire professional movers they will provide these. If not, they are worth the investment of purchasing or renting. Dollies make the work of hefting multiple or heavy boxes much easier, safer, and more efficient. Non-stick runner mats should be laid down along the main indoor hallways and stairs to mitigate nasty slips. Mats can also be had for outdoor spaces and are particularly helpful in wet or icy conditions where the ground may be slick.
Manage people and pets. The fewer people participating in the move, the better. If you have hired a moving company let them do what they do best and stay out of their way. If you must assist, ask the person in charge how best to work with their team to avoid collisions. Young children and pets should not be present during the move. This is an important safety rule. You Move Me has thought of your youngsters in creating a wardrobe box that doubles as a fun kids fort!
Stay comfortable. Moving is a lot easier when you’re dressed appropriately. Wear old, roomy clothes for comfort and accessibility. Choose shoes with good support and soles that grip. Your body and feet will thank you for it later. Ensure everyone is well fed and hydrated, particularly in hot weather, to keep moods positive and energy high!
Use common sense. The temptation to carry a large load, push yourself too hard or for too long, or have unrealistic expectations of others is more likely during a move. Use common sense and set some rules. Don’t lift extremely heavy boxes. Don’t pass off heavy boxes you can carry to someone who may not be able to. Match up the appropriate task with the best resource you have. Take a break when you need it.
My final tip is to know when to call in the professionals. Some jobs are just too large and cumbersome to tackle on your own. Your biggest return on investment could be your peace of mind.
