Are you moving across town or to a different province? Ensuring your safety during the process of relocating is crucial. Injuries on moving day can turn what should be a celebratory occasion into a painful ordeal.
Let’s discuss practical tips we’ve developed over the many years we’ve moved families to help you avoid injuries and make your moving day as smooth as possible.
Hire Professional Movers
One of the best ways to minimize the risk of injury is to hire professional movers. You don’t have to do push-ups or run laps around the block to prepare for moving day—just leave the heavy lifting to the experts.
Professional movers specialize in organizing, lifting, and time management. They can pack your home, disassemble furniture, and securely wrap your most fragile items.
By hiring professionals, you can focus on lighter tasks and simple clean-up while they handle the heavier, more cumbersome items.
Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers
- Expertise: Professional movers know how to lift and maneuver heavy items without causing injury.
- Equipment: They come equipped with all the necessary tools, such as moving straps, dollies, and packing materials.
- Efficiency: Professional movers work quickly and efficiently, saving you time and effort.
Use the Right Equipment
Using proper moving equipment is essential for avoiding injuries. When contacting your moving company, ensure they will bring equipment like an appliance dolly, furniture sliders, and moving straps. These tools make the move easier and safer for everyone involved.
Essential Moving Equipment
- Appliance Dolly: Ideal for moving heavy appliances like refrigerators and washing machines.
- Furniture Sliders: Help move heavy furniture across floors without lifting.
- Moving Straps: Distribute weight evenly, making it easier to lift heavy items.
Don’t Overpack Boxes
It might seem efficient to fill every nook and cranny of your moving boxes, but overpacking can lead to injuries. Heavy boxes are harder to lift and can strain your legs, arms, and back.
To avoid injuries, pack boxes correctly and ensure the weight is evenly distributed.
Packing Tips
- Keep Boxes Light: Aim for a maximum weight of 50 pounds per box.
- Distribute Weight: Spread heavier items across multiple boxes to balance the load.
- Label Boxes: Clearly label each box with its contents and weight to prevent lifting heavy boxes by mistake.
Lift with Your Legs
“Lifting with your legs, not your back,” is a common technique that professional movers swear by. This method helps avoid injuries to your neck and spine.
Lifting Techniques
- Wide Base of Support: Place your feet shoulder-width apart and flat on the ground.
- Bend into a Squat: Lower yourself into a squat position, using your legs for support.
- Keep Your Back Straight: Maintain a straight back as you lift the item.
- Breathe: Exhale as you lift to engage your core muscles.
Keep Pathways and Walkways Clear
Tripping over smaller items is a common cause of injury on moving day. Keep all pathways and walkways clear to avoid unnecessary falls.
Clearing Pathways
- Plan Your Route: Identify the easiest and safest route for moving items from your home to the moving truck.
- Remove Clutter: Clear away any extension cords, loose items, or pets that could obstruct the walkway.
- Secure Rugs: Ensure that all rugs and carpets are secured to prevent tripping.
Dress Appropriately
Wearing the right clothing and footwear can make a significant difference in preventing injuries. Choose comfortable, practical outfits that allow for easy movement.
What to Wear
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear clothes that are loose but not baggy to avoid getting caught on items.
- Sturdy Footwear: Choose closed-toe shoes with a good grip to protect your feet and prevent slips.
- Protective Gear: Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from cuts and blisters.
Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated
Moving can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to take regular breaks and stay hydrated. Overexertion can lead to injuries, especially if you’re not used to strenuous activity.
Break and Hydration Tips
- Set a Timer: Take a 10-minute break every hour to rest and recover.
- Drink Water: Keep a water bottle nearby and take sips regularly.
- Eat Snacks: Have healthy snacks on hand to keep your energy levels up.
Ask for Help
Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s friends, family, or professional movers, having additional hands can make the process safer and more manageable.
Ways to Get Help
- Friends and Family: Reach out for assistance, especially for heavy or awkward items.
- Professional Movers: Hire movers for the most challenging tasks.
- Community Resources: Some local organizations offer volunteer moving assistance.
Hire Help for Moving to Remove Any Chance of Injuries on Moving Day
Moving day doesn’t have to be a perilous experience. By following these tips—hiring professional movers, using the right equipment, packing smartly, lifting correctly, keeping pathways clear, dressing appropriately, taking breaks, and asking for help—you can significantly reduce the risk of injuries.
Choose Crescent Moving and Storage for Your Next Move
When you choose Crescent Moving you are getting a team of professional movers who are licensed and insured, bonded, and Certified by the Canadian Association of Movers. Our certified moving agents guarantee the best door-to-door service. Get a FREE, no-obligation quote: https://crescentmovingandstorage.com/moving-quote/