Moving Safety Tips
While it may be exciting to move into a new place, remember that your own health and safety comes first! Knowing moving safety tips is key to making sure your move goes with limited accidents, injuries, and worry.
To help you stay strong during the relocation process, here are some key moving safety tips.
Safe Packing
There’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to packing, but today we’re going to focus on tips for safe packing. Follow these steps to keep yourself safe before, during, and after your move!
Avoid Overpacking
While it may be tempting to line up your books into one neat box, you shouldn’t. Boxes that are overpacked can break during the move. Follow guidelines for how much a box can hold and use your own judgment, especially if there are specific boxes you want to be able to lift yourself. Also make sure that you have plenty of boxes to balance out the weight of all your belongings.
Safely Store Sharp Items
Items such as kitchen knives, shears, and cutters should be carefully packaged. If not, they can hurt you during packing or poke out of boxes during the move. You can choose to wrap them in packaging paper, bubble wrap, or a small towel or cloth.
Keep Walkways Clear
It’s easy to miss something when you’re walking, especially if you’re carrying items. Do your best to keep spaces, especially the ones where you will be walking through, clear of anything that can cause you to trip or step on.
Moving Heavy Boxes
Rely on Your Legs
Moving house is actually a full body workout that basically uses every muscle in your body. Most of the workout can come from lifting heavy boxes, but this process can lead to back pain. Do your best to keep your spine neutral, which is the position where you put the least strain on your neck and back. The trick is to rely on your legs.
If you need to pick up something heavy from the ground, do not bend down from your waist. Instead, squat down to reach the item, and lift yourself back up with your legs. Bending your knees will also help shift the load towards your legs instead of your back. Taking the weight off your spine will minimize back pain during your move.
Balance
To help you maintain your balance when carrying items, keep your arms (and your load) close to your body and limit twisting and turning. If you do need to spin around, lead with your hip instead of your feet.
Avoid doing these things when carrying heavy items:
- Bending forwards or backwards, which will put excessive strain on your spine and throw off your balance
- Lifting items over your shoulder
- Rushing to get the item somewhere. Be careful and watch your surroundings
Beware of Children and Pets
Having the children and pets around when you are lifting heavy items can be a recipe for disaster. If you have young children or pets, try to have someone else look after them or keep them away from the moving area.
Plan Ahead
Know where your heavy item is going before you lift it to avoid unnecessary work and strain. Make sure things fit through doors, and if they don’t, have plans on where to get items where they need to be. Familiarize yourself with the layout of your location, from service elevators to shortest routes. The planning will also let you know if you need to obtain other moving tools, such as a dolly, which can facilitate your moving process. Planning in general will improve your moving experience.
Dress for the Work
While most of your clothes are packed away, make sure that some of your most breathable and flexible outfits are available for your move. You will be doing a lot of moving, so get in something that doesn’t restrict your movement. However, avoid baggy clothing, as they can get caught in items or cause you to trip.
Other clothes to avoid are heeled shoes and flip flops which can also threaten your balance and cause injury. Instead, opt for sturdy, closed-toed shoes, such as sneakers, to allow you to move while also giving your feet some protection in case something falls.
Take Care of Yourself
Get Enough Sleep
Moving day is stressful and requires a lot from you! Don’t forget to get plenty of sleep and rest prior to the big day. A lack of sleep can cause you to be unfocused during the move, which can lead to more accidents and missteps.
To help you get the most sleep, plan ahead and do your best to get most of your packing done before the eve of the big day. Leaving things to the last minute will only cause more anxiety and will tire you out.
Eat, Drink, and Rest
On moving day itself, remember to eat and drink well so you have plenty of energy. If you’re feeling tired, give yourself a rest. It’s better to take a break than push yourself too far. If you find yourself strained or tense, some stretches can help you relieve those muscles.
Ultimately, it’s about listening to your body. You know yourself and your limits best. Don’t push yourself and know when to rest or ask for help. Moving should not be a race against time, so there is no need to work your body to its limit.
Break From the Sun
If you are moving during the summer, try to have the heavy lifting of your move take part away from the sweltering heat. Moving during the early morning or perhaps later in the afternoon can help you avoid overheating and dehydration.
Extra Health Precautions
Being mindful of moving safety is especially important if you already experience back pain or spinal problems. When it comes to moving while looking after your spine health, be extra mindful to use your other muscles, don’t be afraid to delegate the heavy lifting to others, and make sure that you have spoken to a doctor to understand your limits.
Don’t Do it All By Yourself
One of the most important moving safety tips is knowing when you can’t do everything by yourself. Pack-Men movers is here to provide you with the best moving services. Leave it to us to get the stress off your back and the heavy lifting off your hands.
