How to Avoid Injury While Moving and Packing

To prevent getting hurt when relocating, you need to buy proper equipment, pack in the right way, and declutter as much as possible. And no matter if you hire white glove moving services or ask friends for help, you will have to remember not to carry anything alone, no matter how harmless it may seem.

What to Do Before Moving Day – Safety Measures You Need to Take

To prevent back pain after moving furniture or boxes, you must take some precautions. Our first long-distance relocation tip is to remember that most head and body injuries happen when people are in a hurry and carry things on their own. Picture this – you hired a white glove moving service, but you still want to help them out and speed up the process, so you decide to carry some boxes. This is the first relocation mistake people make and harm themselves in the process. So no matter how light that box may be, you need to remember you are not a professional and probably do not know how to lift it properly. However, there are things you can do to speed everything up and yet prevent any back pain.

Declutter Before Movers Arrive

If you hired a white glove moving company, the good thing would be to declutter before your white glove movers arrive. So if you have things you do not plan to bring with you all around the house, now is the time to get rid of them. The best relocation tip is to do this before you start packing, so you don’t end up cluttered in your belongings. Also, if there is any packing residue lying around the house, you need to clean that so there is nothing in your or workers’ way when carrying a load.

Do Not Overpack Your Boxes

Now that you have decided what to keep, it is time to pack those belongings into boxes (a much faster and easier process once the clutter is out of the way). However, do not hurry when packing. You need to pack your belongings in a proper way so nothing gets broken while transporting, and most importantly, the containers are not too heavy. Or, to quote Treebeard, “do not be hasty.”

For example, when you are packing dishes, take some time to wrap each piece in bubble wrap and place them horizontally in the box. Add a cushioning layer on the bottom and top of the box and seal everything with duct tape. Take some labels for boxes or markers and write “fragile” on each side of the package. It is important to fill out all the empty space in the containers so that when it is lifted, nothing moves around.

And if you wonder which safety can be used to prevent injuries while lifting and shifting, the answer lies in properly packed containers where nothing is shifting inside. If some object starts to move inside the box, it can shift the balance and flip over. That can cause anyone who is carrying a box to twitch and possibly injure themselves.

Another great packing tip is only to pack half of the box when packing your books. The books are probably the most fun and easy objects to pack, like playing Tetris. However, this fun process can lead to boxes overly packed with heavy items no one can lift.

Buy the Right Packing Materials

Even if you are relocating at the last minute, you need to buy proper packing materials to move safely. When choosing the right packing materials, we need to start with boxes. Buy new,sturdy, good quality, medium-size cardboard containers – don’t buy large boxes because they will be heavier and more difficult to carry around. Medium-size containers will make relocation easier, and, most importantly – they will be kinder to your back and body.

Equipment to Help You Avoid Moving Injuries

What is the best way to avoid injury when moving an object? Well, aside from hiring someone else to do this job for you, the best way to prevent any future back pain or damage to your body is to take proper equipment. And do not think this equipment is something you do not need because no matter how fit you are, carrying a load all day will tire you, and when you are tired, mistakes are easily made. Even white glove moving professionals use equipment that will ease off all the hard work. So don’t be a hero and buy or rent equipment for your relocation day.

How to Avoid Injury While Moving in Winter?

There is a whole set of rules and relocation preparation when it comes to winter moves. First, you need to start early because the days are shorter, and the dark will come faster than when relocating in the summer. You should also consider car shipping services so you don’t drive long distances with your family through blizzards and storms. Also, check up on the weather so you don’t get surprised on the big day and be able to prepare in advance.

Prevent Winter-Related Injuries

No matter if it is snowy or not, just in case, pour some salt on your driveway and in front of your home the night before the truck arrives. As you know, during the night, the temperature will fall, and ice can form. The worst thing that can happen is someone falling while carrying your belongings. Also, place some sheets inside your home so there is no water on the floor, which can also cause someone to slip. Rent large spotlights so you can place them on the driveway and in front of the house. The days are shorter, and you will need to see where you are going while carrying your belongings.

How to Dress for a Big Day

Even if you take all the precautions mentioned above, one sneaky thing can happen and cause a stiff back – sweat combined with air conditioning. Whether you are relocating in winter or summer, you will be sweaty from all the hard work, and changing temperatures by going in and out of the house can cause back pain. So to prevent this, you need to wear at least two layers of clothing in the summer and more in the wintertime. The first layer of clothing should be a cotton shirt that will absorb all the sweat. This way, you will not be wet all the time.

Also, do not wear any uncomfortable clothing that is too tight. You will have to be able to move. Another thing to remember is not to wear clothing that is too loose and hanging. It can easily happen for your clothes to be stuck somewhere, which can lead to injuries.

How to Find the Best Company?

When searching for movers, the best is to find a company that can provide you with all the services you need. So before you hire any company, make sure you know what your budget is and what kind of services you require – whether you want packing and storage services or just someone to relocate your belongings. Also, when negotiating with a company, ask them everything you want to know, so you do not end up paying for something you didn’t want.

The company must calculate its price only after the estimation is done, so if someone is offering you a fixed price before even seeing how many items needs to be moved, they are probably scammers. Most reputable companies will have the option of a free quote. This free quote is only a vague estimation of how much your relocation will cost, but it is a good way to get some idea about the prices.