Moving Safety Tips

Moving is always a combination of both excitement and worry/stress. Whether you’re moving across the street or the country, moving comes with a unique set of challenges. Between the stresses of packing, finances to manage, and the time-consuming process, you’re bound to be tired after any move. If you’re moving in a hurry, it’s important to remember some critical safety tips. After all, the last thing you want is to damage your items or injure yourself.

Before your next move, consider these simple yet effective safety tips for moving:

Lift with Your Legs

You’re likely to have heard this tip before, but remembering to do it is another story. Often, people bend using their backs, leading to serious back injuries. When moving heavy objects, try to remember to lift with your legs as much as possible. Heavy boxes and items can cause you to strain your back if you’re not careful with your lifting form.

Before moving, it’s also a good idea to perform some basic stretches. When you need to pick something up off the ground, keep your back straight instead of hunched, and remember to bend at the knees. Your back will thank you later!

Ask for Help, If Needed

Moving can quickly incur a lot of expenses. To save money, many people attempt to move too much on their own. If you need moving assistance, ask! Sharing the load is one of the most important safety tips when moving. Many large items require two or more people to safely lift. Whether you ask for the help of friends or family or hire a moving company, the cost is well worth keeping yourself safe.

Drive Slowly and Carefully

If you’ve rented a truck or a Uhaul, you may be driving a vehicle larger than you’re used to. Given the height of your truck or van, you’ll want to drive carefully and slowly. It can be helpful to bring a passenger along for directions, to ensure you keep your eyes on the road at all times. Tight corners and narrow streets can be difficult to maneuver. As such, it may be a good idea to map the route out in advance to remain on major roadways for the duration of the trip. You may also wish to move during off-hours, so there is a lesser volume of traffic on the road.

Don’t Overstuff Boxes

When selecting boxes for your move, only put items in their intended boxes. Many moving companies and Uhauls have boxes made for specific items, such as wardrobe boxes or TV boxes. This is a good way to ensure the box can withstand the weight of the items put in. Too often, people move to overstuff boxes. In turn, this can result in damage to your items and injuries to yourself. Instead of forcing too much in a box or carrying too many items on one trip, take the extra time to make another trip or add another box. It will be worth it in the end.

Moving Safely

Keep these moving safety tips in mind for your next trip. You’ll be glad you did! Proper lifting, adequate help, slow driving, and advanced preparation can help make your move go as smoothly as possible.