Whether relocating inside the neighborhood, or packing your belongings across the country, the boxing, sorting, and moving of items can easily cause chaos. Due to this stress, and often tight deadlines, it becomes even more important to consider the safety of yourself and your family.
These moving safety tips can help save you from both financial and physical pain:
Moving Safety Tip 1: Plan and Measure
Doorways are not a one-size-fits-all kind of architecture. While newer buildings tend to have wider 36′ exterior doors, many interior doors can be 30″ or narrower. Older, or historic buildings will have doorways and stairwells built before modern building codes too. Elevators often have a maximum height and weight capacity too.
As you move, keep these pathways in mind, as not everything will go in your new building and out your old residence smoothly. Queen bed box springs are often difficult objects for narrow openings or corners, and breaking or jamming these items can harm both your and your walls.
Moving Safety Tip 2: Prepare Before Lifting
Most people are aware that there is a technique to lifting safely, but a lesser known fact is that safe lifting begins in the preparation. Warm-ups and back stretches can help prevent pulled muscles when moving items. Some specific stretches to try include hamstring, Achilles, and lower back rotations.
Moving Safety Tip 3: Lift Safely
Both weight and technique matter when lifting. Once you have stretched and prepared your path for moving, it’s important to use the proper technique. Test the object weight first. Don’t try to lift objects that are too heavy by yourself, instead call in backup and work as a team.
When lifting, use a wide stance and lift with your legs, not your back. Avoid twisting by pivoting your feet and try to carry the weight near your waist in what is called the “power zone.” Remember to use Ergonomic assistive items such as straps, wheels, and ties when possible.
Moving Safety Tip 4: Understand How to Move Glass and Breakables
Sometimes things can get dropped or bumped when moving. Despite our best efforts, this can happen to anyone. Prevent breakage first by using proper packing materials like bubble wrap, foam, and cardboard. When moving glass items, extra precautions are needed.
Since broken glass can both destroy your item, and also cause severe injury to the mover — it’s vital not to let this happen. Pre-planning your route is highly important, not just for doorways and stairs, but also to remove any items that may cause a tripping hazard. Sheets of glass cannot support their own weight, so always carry this on the upright edge as you would carry plywood or drywall.
Moving Safety Tip 5: Don’t Rush
One of the most difficult safety tips to remember is not to rush. While your lease deadline may be looming, things will not go faster if items are damaged and people get hurt. Professional movers may not always seem to move at your desired pace, but often they are thinking through the planning process above.
Take the time to be safe by not rushing yourself, your friends, or your movers.