Everybody knows that moving is stressful and expensive but few home movers ever realize that the real danger of a residential move is hidden in its painful unpredictability – painful not only figuratively but literally too.
Dare to turn your back on moving safety and you, while moving from Point A (your current home) to Point B (your new home), might find yourself paying an unexpected emergency visit to Midpoint H (the nearest hospital).
Achingly enough, moving injuries tend to happen in split seconds and usually, there’s no warning of any kind that something will go terribly wrong until it is too late. And while getting a paper cut when packing up your books is not something to write home about, pull a muscle or hurt your back and you’ll see how things suddenly take a sharp turn for the worse.
How to avoid injuries when moving?
Getting hurt on Moving day is, without a doubt, the worst thing that could happen to you or a family member, so your best chance to keep injuries at bay when moving house is to know how to stay safe during your move.
The following 10 moving safety tips are, in reality, 10 ways to avoid injuries during a move.
1. Plan 3 steps ahead (at least!)
While some people on the move will be happy to avoid running into any major accidents while moving house, you need to go one full step further and guarantee yourself a perfectly safe and smooth move – from the eerie moment of packing your first box in your current home to the joyous instant of unpacking your last moving container in the new house.
The first thing you should remember is that moving day safety goes hand in hand with good organization. Project into your relocation reality the wise words of a great man who once said, “Plans are nothing, planning is everything.” and you’ll soon realize the deeper truth behind his insightfulness.
Remember to plan your actions well before you implement them, or in simpler words: use your head before using your muscles. Don’t lift something until you know where you will put it and how exactly you will move it there.
Yes, planning each and every step before you actually take it is the right approach to a safe move where no accidents of any sort will be allowed to spoil the moving mood. When faced with a dead-end, take a break to rethink the entire situation and look for alternative ways to resolve the problem in question.
For example, if your couch just won’t fit through your living room door, don’t make the rookie mistake of using brutal force to force its exit or entrance. Sheer muscle strength alone can often prove to be destructive, either in the form of property damage or personal injuries.
Instead, rack your brains to find an adequate solution (every problem has its solution, remember?), which in this particular case is to either strip down your furniture of any detachable and protruding parts or to remove temporarily the door from its hinges to provide the needed breathing room of a few extra inches.
Planning ahead also includes proper time management – the more precious time you manage to win thanks to your detailed and interactive MOVING CHECKLIST, the less pressure you will feel to hurry through your pre-move tasks. More time gives you a great chance to plan ahead carefully and thus avoid personal injury and property damage as a result of hasty actions.
That way, you can handle any cross-country move to San Francisco, CA, Denver, CO, or Dallas, TX – or any other city in the country – completely stress- and injury-free.
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Even the mighty Batman has a trusted sidekick to help him fight evil. You get the idea, right?
The process of moving house was never meant to be a one-man affair. Even if you’re lucky enough to have ample time until your moving date to take care of the organizational part of the move – a score of moving tasks to be completed in a highly systematic and logical progression (One-Sentence Moving Checklist), packing up your house for a move will surely test both your mental strength and physical endurance.
Without a doubt, packing up an entire household on your own is never a joke when it comes to providing adequate safety but the impossible task is still manageable, especially if you follow our groundbreaking packing checklist to help you transfer all your earthly possessions into moving boxes in exactly 60 steps.
Unfortunately, your noteworthy self-reliance and awe-inspiring solo play will come to an end with the arrival of Moving day. Lifting, carrying, loading, and unloading heavy items is a team effort, so make safety your top priority when moving and remember to ask for the right kind of moving assistance: hire movers or move by yourself?
While friends can provide good physical and emotional support to help your relocation cause, the ultimate moving safety can only be achieved through professional assistance. Your move will suddenly become as safe as it can be the moment reliable movers arrive on site.
Rigorously trained to follow every safety procedure imaginable down to a T, reputable and experienced moving teams are well familiar with all the safety rules to prevent accidents and injury during a move and will do whatever it takes to keep such unwelcoming guests away from your doorstep.
Click here to get a better idea of how much it costs to hire professional movers who will simply guarantee you a perfectly safe moving adventure.
3. Make sure all boxes are strong enough
One practical way to avoid moving injuries is to make sure you’re only using sturdy cardboard boxes when packing up your belongings.
When using brand-new moving boxes, then you have little to worry about when it comes to their safety – all of those cardboard containers should be strong enough since they have never been used before. Still, you may want to double-tape the bottom of each box for extra security and peace of mind… but things should be fine even if you don’t do it.
For your own safety, make sure all moving boxes are strong enough.
When using second-hand cardboard boxes, however, then safety becomes a much more important issue. In your attempt to lower your moving costs, you’re likely to get tempted to find and use free moving boxes and that’s perfectly understandable considering the high cost of moving house.
Nevertheless, using boxes that have been used before can be risky – if you’re carrying a box and that container breaks due to its weakened structure and the weight of the load inside it, then you may end up with injuries to your feet or toes.
Avoid injuries when you move by only accepting free moving boxes that are sturdy, dry, and have no visible signs of any damage. Also, before you start packing a used box, double-tape its bottom twice with strong packing tape to minimize the risk of breakage on Moving day.
One of the fundamental safety rules of moving house, yet to be set in stone, is that a single packed box should not exceed the reasonable limit of 50 pounds. Don’t make moving containers any heavier unless you wish to see in person what sorts of dangers will spring open out of Pandora’s box.
For your own safety, it’s best to keep your boxes under 40 pounds. If a box feels uncomfortable for you to lift and carry around, then it has already become too heavy. Of course, you can always try and cheat your way around the strict laws of physics by having the proper moving equipment with you.
After all, why break your back carrying heavyweight furniture and kitchen appliances when you can wheel them out of your house almost effortlessly? Avoid injuries while moving by taking advantage of the greatest moving equipment piece ever! Its ease of use, efficiency, and most importantly – safety have proven to be invaluable during the transitional periods of moving from one home to another.
Yes, it’s the moving dolly!
Although the L-shaped two-wheeled handcart is known by a number of different names, its efficiency remains unrivaled when it comes to transporting bulky and heavy objects from one place to another. Beware that unassisted heavy lifting can pose great health risks to you or anyone else involved in the process, especially if you’re not familiar with the proper lifting techniques /see the next safety tip for more information/.
All in all, a moving dolly is a must if you’re organizing a self-move – rent one from your local moving company or even consider purchasing one, for the first-class lever will definitely be worth the investment in the long run.
Proper lifting techniques are the key to an accident-free move from start to finish.
Moving days are usually filled to the brim with awkward and unusual movements that your body will not be too thrilled to go through – lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, and even twisting.
And as a result of that sudden unorthodox physical strain, your body will be more prone to sustain minor or even more serious (Heaven Forbid!) injuries.
Even toddlers know that lifting heavy furniture, overweight kitchen appliances and filled boxes is not only a strenuous job but a rather dangerous one as well.
Our Moving Safety Guide continues with simple yet efficient lifting techniques that have proven to reduce drastically the risk of self-injuries when handling heavy objects during a house move.
Lift with your legs. The number one lifting technique when moving house states that you should lift with the help of your legs, not with your back. Simply bend at the knees, keep your back straight as an arrow and use the sheer strength of your lower limbs as an ultimate hoisting device. Your back will thank you later.
Push, don’t pull. Speaking of simple yet brilliant moving safety tips to prevent back injuries, keep in mind, whenever applicable, that it’s always better to push heavy objects forward than to pull them backward.
Turn with your feet. Another safe and proper lifting technique states that if you find yourself in dire need to turn while still holding a heavy object, then you should turn with your feet, not with your hips.
Keep the load centered. In order to avoid moving injuries when moving house, you should keep heavy items close to your body and centered in relation to your body height.
One step at a time. Take only small steps at a time, always keep your footing secure and make sure your movements are slow and smooth as opposed to sudden and jerky.
Watch your step. When lifting and moving heavy household items, keep your eyes looking in front of you and slightly upward.
Don’t lift over your head. Avoid lifting heavy things over your head unless you absolutely must.
Create more space. One of the best moving safety tips is to create more unconstrained space and breathing room, both inside and outside your home, by removing any obstacles along the moving paths. It’s important to understand that disorganized clutter can easily and seriously jeopardize the accident-free success of your relocation.
Keep boxes organized. Packed boxes should be labeled and organized in neat piles away from any in-house hallways that lead to the outside so that movement along the heavy-traffic zones is not impeded in any way.
Keep outside areas clear. The outside areas, especially the outdoor pathways that lead to the moving truck, should be perfectly free of dust, mud, water, snow, or ice, as well as clear of any debris on the ground that could prove to be real hazards on Moving day.
Trim shrubs and branches. Consider trimming overgrown shrubs or protruding tree branches that might get in people’s way when the moving action gets underway.
The more space for free movement you manage to create in your home prior to moving day, the safer your move will be in general. Take advantage of any available vertical space when arranging your packed boxes but be careful not to stack the filled moving containers too high for fear of them getting topped over and hurting someone.
Adequate safety when moving house cannot be stressed enough.
Read this Moving Safety Guide through and through and you will have a much better idea of what it takes to achieve a very good level of overall safety not only while you’re getting ready to move to a new home, but also on Moving day itself and during your relocation trip as well.
However, you must never forget that while you are getting a deeper understanding of the true dangers of a house move, you probably have dearly loved members of your family who are either too young or too cute to grasp the concept of moving safety, or even the concept of safety in general.
Therefore, it’s your top priority to make your children and pets safe by keeping your little ones as far away from the moving epicenter as possible.
To avoid having your kids or pets running around the movers’ feet (dogs, cats) or flying around their heads (birds) while the pros are hauling huge, oversized, and overweight stuff out of the house, arrange for a trusted friend or relative to watch over and look after your loved ones in a safe environment away from boxes, furniture, appliances, unknown faces, and palpable moving stress.
This way, you get a win-win situation as your little ones will not lose their favorite routine while you go about tending to your moving tasks without any disruptive interruptions.
Put on a random pair of shoes on moving day and your feet will hate you after the move.
Moving day safety comes in different shapes and sizes.
Not surprisingly, one of the safety aspects that tends to be overlooked too easily during a residential move is the way people dress on the morning of their moving day. Don’t make the moving mistake of thinking that what you wear on moving day will have zero effect on how the longest and most exhausting 24-hour moving period unfolds before your very eyes.
One of the universal relocation truths is that moving will be much safer and more comfortable when you’ve dressed appropriately for the occasion.
Our moving safety tips will now advise you on how to stay safe when moving by choosing the right type of clothes and shoes during your Big day.
Ideally, your clothes will provide a maximum level of comfort and protection during your action-filled day. Forget about the word Fashion and select garments made of breathable and flexible materials that won’t restrict your movements in any way.
Moving often proves to be dirty work, so choose the type of clothes you won’t really mind getting ruined after the long day.
Baggy clothes are clearly out of the question due to their higher chance of becoming hooked onto a protruding part somewhere and thus compromising the moving safety you have worked so hard to achieve.
As far as shoes go, select your most comfortable closed pair that you know will give you the best protection, flexibility, and traction. You can never go wrong with a pair of high-top sports shoes that usually come with unrivaled ankle support and anti-slip soles.
Don’t forget your personal protective gear either! High-quality working gloves are monumental for your safety and well-being as they will provide exactly the improved grip and hand/finger protection you need.
It’s critical to remember that dangers on Moving day can come from anywhere and quite unexpectedly at that.
Bear in mind that another moving safety advice is to stay alert to the weather conditions and act accordingly in order to protect yourself and the people around you from harm.
When moving in the summer, you must stay properly hydrated by drinking lots of liquids (avoid alcohol as it only makes things worse!) at frequent intervals. Make sure there are enough bottled water and refreshments such as iced tea, Frappe coffee, juices, and soft drinks for everybody.
When inside during a summer move, keep the rooms cool by having the AC turned on or position portable fans to keep the air in circulation and avoid overheating while working.
When outside, wear sufficient sun protection for your body: a summer hat, glasses, light-colored summer clothes, and if needed, sunscreen to protect the exposed areas of your skin.
When moving in the winter, try your best to keep your body warm by drinking hot beverages such as tea, coffee, and of course – hot chocolate. Prepare various snacks as your body will need more fuel to stay warm when the surrounding temperature is too low.
When inside during a winter move, keep the rooms heated by having your AC switched on or position space heaters in strategic spots. When outside, wear warm clothes in layers so that you can regulate your body temperature easily when switching between Work modes and Rest modes.
This is probably the best moving safety advice you will ever get to help you keep your moving adventure free of bad accidents and painful injuries.
Our moving safety checklist is ending with random moving safety tips on how to avoid moving injuries by unlocking the true power of your innate common sense.
SET some meaningful safety rules at the very beginning of your moving preparations and STICK to them until the last moving box has been unpacked in your new home.
DON’T BE a moving hero. Try to resist the temptation to carry several moving boxes at once as pushing yourself too hard for too long can only lead to exertion and possible injuries.
STRETCH before you begin any instances of heavy lifting regardless of how skeptical you may feel towards warming up exercises. Just ask a professional athlete about the importance of getting your body warmed up for the physical efforts and listen to what they have to say.
MAKE it easier on yourself If you can think of an easier way to do something without straining your body, just do it. For example, stack heavy boxes onto a moving dolly instead of proving to yourself how strong you are.
LISTEN to what your body is telling you, and listen closely. Understanding your own physical limits is an excellent way to keep moving injuries at bay.
TAKE advantage of the proper lifting techniques described above and take short but frequent breaks before each strenuous job. Keep a first aid kit nearby just in case.
SEEK expert assistance. Sometimes a house move proves to be too much to tackle on your own and the best thing you can do to ensure your safety and peace of mind under the circumstances is to invest in experienced professionals who will get the job done in the safest way possible.
What does moving safety mean to you?
Please read this safety sign again.
Is it to keep your fragile items and treasured antique furniture intact during transportation?
Or maybe safety in your case is all about ensuring that your kids and pets survive the residential move in perfect physical and mental health?
Having an accident-free relocation from start to finish is much more than watching where you’re going – it’s about actually seeing clearly in your mind where you’re going before you take the cautious moving steps.
When you hire professionals, you can be assured that your items are in safe hands and that they will not be under the risk of breaking, spilling, getting lost. Professionals use high quality packaging materials to pack the items and then proper vehicles that are used to transport your goods.
It made sense to me when you said that you can ensure safety while relocating when you hire a professional moving company. My parents should be aware of this as they need to have the new sets of furniture that they ordered two weeks ago delivered to their new house. They both have back problems due to scoliosis, so I don’t want to risk their safety due to lifting heavy items.
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The safety moving tips shared in the article are amazing and useful, thanks for sharing this information with us.
When you hire professionals, you can be assured that your items are in safe hands and that they will not be under the risk of breaking, spilling, getting lost. Professionals use high quality packaging materials to pack the items and then proper vehicles that are used to transport your goods.
It made sense to me when you said that you can ensure safety while relocating when you hire a professional moving company. My parents should be aware of this as they need to have the new sets of furniture that they ordered two weeks ago delivered to their new house. They both have back problems due to scoliosis, so I don’t want to risk their safety due to lifting heavy items.