We all know that moving is a big task, but did you know that it can also be dangerous? In addition to being exhausting, moving involves heavy lifting and large, awkward objects–both of which cause the chance of injury to skyrocket.
Unless you’re careful, moving can easily cause serious and long-lasting injuries.
Fortunately, moving doesn’t have to be dangerous. In this post, we’re going to share five of the top moving safety tips we’ve learned from our time in the business, and a few pointers on how you can stay as safe as possible during your upcoming move.
5 Moving Safety Tips Everyone Should Know
Keep yourself safe (and sane) throughout your move with these smart moving tips:
1. Pack light
The temptation to overpack is real. Fewer boxes are always better, right? Wrong. Unless the boxes you’re packing are light and easy to move, you’re only putting yourself at risk of injury. With that in mind, be proactive about packing as lightly as possible.
A few weeks before you move, hold a yard sale or garage sale to get rid of items you don’t need or use any longer. Give excess clothing, kitchen goods, and kids’ toys away to local charities and consider selling furniture or home goods you won’t need in your new place.
While you don’t want to give away items you love and still actively use in your daily life, trimming the fat before you move is a great way to keep things light and streamline your upcoming transition.
2. Wrap all knives and sharp objects
Before moving, take the time to wrap all knives and other sharp objects, like gardening shears and scissors.
While this may seem like a simple step, it’s one of the best ways to avoid cuts and injuries while you pack and unpack. Even better, wrapped knives are less likely to perforate cardboard boxes and create a dangerous situation than their unwrapped counterparts.
For best results, we recommend wrapping sharp objects in packing paper surrounded by bubble wrap. If the knife is very sharp, wrap the entire thing in a dish towel and secure it with a rubber band.
3. Wear the right clothes
Some of the injuries associated with moving have less to do with the actual boxes and lifting than they do with a person’s choice of clothing.
On moving day, it’s critical to wear comfortable clothing that’s up to the task. We recommend staying away from baggy, loose clothing that can get caught on things or make it difficult to move. Instead, wear breathable and flexible clothing that will keep you warm or cool – depending on the weather.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re wearing shoes that offer optimal arch support and a stable, slip-resistant sole. Flimsy sandals or shoes with high heels will only make moving more difficult and increase your risk of injury.
4. Know how to lift heavy items (or hire someone who does)
Lifting heavy items is a leading cause of moving injuries. And if you’re going to do it, it pays to learn how to do it properly.
For starters, be careful to always lift with your knees, rather than bending at the back. This guide has some helpful information and illustrations to demonstrate. If you’re removing something very heavy or large, consider investing in some lifting and moving straps or hiring our team of professional movers to handle the job for you.
5. Take a break
Don’t unnecessarily strain your body by cramming a difficult move in less time than it should take. Instead, pace yourself and take breaks throughout the day.
Not only are you less likely to face exhaustion this way, but it’s just a more pleasant and approachable way to move. Be sure to have plenty of nutritious snacks on hand and plenty of water to help you stay hydrated.
Your Upcoming Move Just Got Safer
Moving can be complex and physically demanding, but it doesn’t have to result in injury. By following the five tips in this post, you can enjoy a simpler, more straightforward, and safer move in the coming months.
And remember–if your move seems like too much to face alone, Gallo Moving and Storage is always here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our local- and long-distance moving services and how our team can help you get from Point A to Point B.
Safety Must-Haves for Every Move
We all know that moving is a big task, but did you know that it can also be dangerous? In addition to being exhausting, moving involves heavy lifting and large, awkward objects–both of which cause the chance of injury to skyrocket.
Unless you’re careful, moving can easily cause serious and long-lasting injuries.
Fortunately, moving doesn’t have to be dangerous. In this post, we’re going to share five of the top moving safety tips we’ve learned from our time in the business, and a few pointers on how you can stay as safe as possible during your upcoming move.
5 Moving Safety Tips Everyone Should Know
Keep yourself safe (and sane) throughout your move with these smart moving tips:
1. Pack light
The temptation to overpack is real. Fewer boxes are always better, right? Wrong. Unless the boxes you’re packing are light and easy to move, you’re only putting yourself at risk of injury. With that in mind, be proactive about packing as lightly as possible.
A few weeks before you move, hold a yard sale or garage sale to get rid of items you don’t need or use any longer. Give excess clothing, kitchen goods, and kids’ toys away to local charities and consider selling furniture or home goods you won’t need in your new place.
While you don’t want to give away items you love and still actively use in your daily life, trimming the fat before you move is a great way to keep things light and streamline your upcoming transition.
2. Wrap all knives and sharp objects
Before moving, take the time to wrap all knives and other sharp objects, like gardening shears and scissors.
While this may seem like a simple step, it’s one of the best ways to avoid cuts and injuries while you pack and unpack. Even better, wrapped knives are less likely to perforate cardboard boxes and create a dangerous situation than their unwrapped counterparts.
For best results, we recommend wrapping sharp objects in packing paper surrounded by bubble wrap. If the knife is very sharp, wrap the entire thing in a dish towel and secure it with a rubber band.
3. Wear the right clothes
Some of the injuries associated with moving have less to do with the actual boxes and lifting than they do with a person’s choice of clothing.
On moving day, it’s critical to wear comfortable clothing that’s up to the task. We recommend staying away from baggy, loose clothing that can get caught on things or make it difficult to move. Instead, wear breathable and flexible clothing that will keep you warm or cool – depending on the weather.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re wearing shoes that offer optimal arch support and a stable, slip-resistant sole. Flimsy sandals or shoes with high heels will only make moving more difficult and increase your risk of injury.
4. Know how to lift heavy items (or hire someone who does)
Lifting heavy items is a leading cause of moving injuries. And if you’re going to do it, it pays to learn how to do it properly.
For starters, be careful to always lift with your knees, rather than bending at the back. This guide has some helpful information and illustrations to demonstrate. If you’re removing something very heavy or large, consider investing in some lifting and moving straps or hiring our team of professional movers to handle the job for you.
5. Take a break
Don’t unnecessarily strain your body by cramming a difficult move in less time than it should take. Instead, pace yourself and take breaks throughout the day.
Not only are you less likely to face exhaustion this way, but it’s just a more pleasant and approachable way to move. Be sure to have plenty of nutritious snacks on hand and plenty of water to help you stay hydrated.
Your Upcoming Move Just Got Safer
Moving can be complex and physically demanding, but it doesn’t have to result in injury. By following the five tips in this post, you can enjoy a simpler, more straightforward, and safer move in the coming months.
And remember–if your move seems like too much to face alone, Gallo Moving and Storage is always here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our local- and long-distance moving services and how our team can help you get from Point A to Point B.