Residential moves are often stressful, and you may not feel like you have enough time to get everything done. On top of making arrangements for utilities and completing your home purchase or rental agreement, you’ve got packing to do and may be facing choices about how to transport all of your belongings. With so much going on, the last thing you need is to get injured. Implementing these safety strategies helps you arrive at your new residence in good health and ready to begin setting up your new home.
1- Prepare a First Aid Kit
Minor injuries heal better when you administer first aid right away. You might cut yourself on a roll of packing tape, or you may get a minor ankle sprain carrying things down a staircase. Keeping a first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment and a cold pack on hand helps you keep an injury from getting worse.
2- Practice Safe Lifting
Many moving injuries are related to poor lifting techniques. You’ll want to start off lifting a box by putting your feet shoulder-width apart as you prepare to pick it up. Once you begin lifting, remember to bend at your knees and use your legs rather than your back. Keeping the box close to your body keeps it out of the high risk zone for injuries.
3- Watch How Much You Pack In a Box
You might be tempted to throw as much as you can into bigger boxes to reduce the trips you take from the house to the truck. This method can also lead to injuries if it causes you to lift more weight than your body can handle. If you’re packing heavy objects such as books, then use smaller boxes to keep the weight low.
4- Use Extra Care With Packing Sharp Objects
Knives, tools, and other sharp objects can break through cardboard. You can also injure yourself unpacking if you aren’t sure what the box contains. Pack tools with their protective covers on. If an object doesn’t have one, then wrap the sharp area with a towel, cardboard, and some tape.
5- Establish Clear Walking Paths
Trip-and-fall accidents are another leading cause of moving injuries. Although you might be shuffling your belongings around, make it a habit to keep them out of the main walkways. Keep in mind that individual rooms should also have clear walking paths that lead from the closets to the doors.
6- Know and Respect Your Limits
You may prefer to do as much as you can yourself, but trying to do too much can cause you to get hurt. If you have a health condition that limits how much you can carry or if you aren’t sure if you can lift an object, then don’t try to do it yourself. A professional moving service can help you with everything from packing to driving the big truck. Getting help now makes it easier to get everything done without sustaining an injury.
7- Keep Kids and Pets Out of the Way
As you get closer to your move, you’ll want to think about those members of your family that might not know how to stay out of the way. Children and pets who run across a pathway could put you and the movers in harm’s way. They could also get hurt themselves. Arranging for pet and child care services can further help to keep everything moving smoothly along on your moving day.
Getting hurt during a move can significantly slow things down. Even a minor injury could stop you from being able to focus on packing, and a major one might even cause you to have to delay your moving date. By keeping an eye out for safety hazards and knowing your limits, you can look forward to exploring your new community upon your arrival.