When things go wrong, it can turn an already stressful situation into a nightmare. That especially goes for moving house. As one of the most stressful experiences to go through, moving takes careful planning from the get-go. Add to it the worries of traffic accidents, injuries and property damage, and the task can quickly become very taxing. Although not every negative outcome may be avoided, there are ways to prepare for the worst. Below, we’ll go over a few moving day preparedness tips to help set your upcoming relocation up for success.
First things first, you need to devise a strategy for safe moving. Whether you’re planning to hire movers or do it all yourself, this step is essential. Otherwise, you risk making rookie mistakes or worse. The first part of this strategy is scheduling an advantageous time for the move. For instance, if your area has seasonal weather you should avoid, plan for a better time of the year.
Of course, this isn’t always possible due to current commitments or finances. If, however, there is flexibility in your move, take weather conditions into account to sidestep snowy roads, heat exhaustion or damage to temperature-sensitive belongings. Along the same lines is avoiding busy moving times. The summer months are generally the busiest times for moving and rental truck companies. They may even be booked up as numerous students and families with school-age kids relocate. If able, book during the slower times to save on stress and money.
The next part of your strategy is to gather proper protective gear. That way, you’re not only ready for moving day, but you’re able to get started on some tasks now, such as packing. Getting boxes packed well ahead of schedule is key in almost any size of move. If left too long, you may be running around in a last-minute rush and overexert or injure yourself in the process. As you pack, follow efficient packing techniques, use quality materials and steer clear of overpacking your boxes by keeping the weight at no more than 40 pounds.
For the gear, be sure to source protective gloves, supportive shoes and a brace if you have a back or knee problem. Other tools to procure if moving yourself are a furniture dolly, appliance dolly, furniture sliders and moving straps. You should also go over proper lifting techniques and a few core-strengthening exercises as a way to prepare your body for all the work ahead. If an injury occurs, have a plan in place to address it, a first aid kit and someone you can call for help.
Lastly, include arrangements for any kids or pets in your strategy. Little ones and pets may get underfoot during all the chaos and lead to an injury. If possible, find a sitter who can keep them away from the commotion and help maintain their routine at the same time.
Want further tips on how to prepare for an emergency during your move? Check out the accompanying resource for further information.
Provided by Midtown Moving, Atlanta full service movers
