Safety when moving

1. Develop a moving strategy

As previously mentioned, a complicated task such as organizing your move requires a well-elaborated plan, which is why we are here to highlight that you are not supposed to get started without a safe moving strategy. Don’t act impulsively during your move if you don’t want to inflict some damage. Make sure you organize your time wisely, measure twice and cut once, and stick to your strategy as much as possible all the way through.

2. Make sure you drink enough water

Packing your boxes for moving is tricky, and so is the next step – loading and unloading all those heavy objects. We have to warn you that such a strenuous job is likely to lead to dehydration if you don’t take in enough water. For that reason, we suggest that you carry a water bottle wherever you go so as not to forget to keep your body hydrated during the hectic moving day.

3. Learn proper lifting techniques

Speaking of heavy boxes and other weighty items, we have to mention that it is of utmost importance that you stick to certain techniques when lifting those so as to avoid injuries. How are you supposed to lift and carry bulky furniture and appliances? Here’s how. First of all, make sure you keep a proper base of support. In other words, your feet should be shoulder-width apart (one foot slightly ahead). The next thing to remember is never to bend over to pick up anything heavy! Lifting a weighty object from a standing position is likely to cause back strain, so that’s not the right way to go. What you need to do instead is to squat down, i.e., bend your knees so as to protect your back muscles. Your back should be straight, and you should keep your shoulders back, your chest out, and look straight ahead. Before you actually stand up with a box in your hands, make sure you have a good grip on it. Keep it as close to your body as possible and pivot your feet (not your back) when moving with it.

4. Don’t forget about the tools!

You should always stick to the previously listed techniques for lifting large objects, of course, but before you put your knowledge into practice, make sure that you can lift the item in question to start with – your boxes shouldn’t be heavier than 50 pounds. As you can guess, some of your furniture pieces or appliances definitely are heavier than that, which means you will have to rent proper equipment to move them. We suggest that you don’t even consider diving into the relocation process without a dolly (utility, furniture, or both), ropes and straps, as well as a stair-roller (if you have the stairs in your house, of course).

5. Throw away flammable items

Before we move on to tell you how to protect your stuff properly, let us first remind you that there are some things that you shouldn’t bother packing or loading, and these include all flammable and dangerous items such as matchboxes, paint thinners, aerosol cans, and some other chemicals. Not only can these be detrimental to yourself, but moving companies, in fact, are not allowed to transport them at all, so it is best for you to get rid of them as soon as possible.

6. How to make sure your belongings are safe?

As for the stuff that you are allowed to bring, naturally, you want to make sure all your precious things arrive safely to your chosen destination, right? Here are some steps that you should take to avoid them getting damaged in the moving truck. To start with, you need to gather proper packing material, including moving blankets, packing paper, bubble wrap, foam packing peanuts, plastic furniture wrap, and the like. If you own some highly valuable items, you might want to consider storing them in a storage unit or leaving them with a trustworthy friend or a family member. In case a storage facility is your choice, don’t forget to take inventory. Should something get stolen or damaged, you will need proof for insurance purposes, so make a list of all your valuables and take pictures of them, too. While on the subject of insurance, check whether your chosen moving company offers one and whether you need additional coverage for certain valuables.

7. Make sure your moving paths are clear of obstacles

Last but not least, no matter how chaotic your moving day is, your hallways and paths must remain unconstrained. You would be surprised to see how severely disorganized clutter can jeopardize your safety when moving, so keep all your things neatly organized in piles and make sure that your outside pathways are free of dust, mud, water, and snow.

We hope that our guide will help you go through your relocation safely. In case you come to realize that you need some help, Cross Country Movers Group is at your disposal anytime you need us. Feel free to give us a call whenever you want, whether you want us to provide you with some particular service or you need more moving tips – we are here for you.