Moving House is packed with challenges, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous! If you’re careful, and take precautions, a Safe Move is easy to achieve …

There are many potential hazards that can complicate even the best-planned Move. By making a plan and working methodically, it is possible to mitigate many of the dangers that can derail a busy Moving Day. Follow these safety tips for a smooth move …

Have a First Aid Kit to Hand

The first step towards maintaining a safe move is to prepare for a range of injuries (that will hopefully never happen!) This means preparing a Moving First Aid Kit that will address the immediate needs of anyone who sustains a minor injury during your Move. These are the most important things you should consider keeping in your Moving First Aid Kit:

• Bandages
• Gauze Pads
• Antibacterial Cream
• Alcohol Wipes
• Medical Tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Splint
• Hydrocortizone Cream
• Antibacterial Gel

These First Aid supplies should be able to temporarily address most minor problems, such as sprains, splinters, cuts and scrapes. Remember anything beyond a minor injury requires serious medical attention.

 

Use Proper Moving Equipment and Techniques

Most moving-related injuries occur due to people lifting too much weight or not using the proper lifting technique

• Trying to carry or lift too much weight is a guaranteed way to hurt your back. It can also lead to other injuries to yourself, or to others.
• Get help from others when you can, so that the weight you have to carry when you are loading or unloading from vehicles can be evenly distributed amongst a team of people. You can always hire professional movers to help you out with a DIY move.
• Make sure your boxes are not packed too heavily. It can be tempted to chuck everything into one box, but try not to pack boxes with more than 20kg. You may be able to lift a too-heavy box once, but remember that injuries can happen when you repeatedly move very heavy items (from your old house? To your new house?) While it may not be possible for your to weigh every single box, you can easily gauge the weight by trying to lift it: if you can lift it without feeling any strain and if you can stand steadily on your feet whilst holding it, and walk without a problem, then the box is probably not too heavy for you.
• For heavy items, having the proper moving equipment can help prevent injury. For example, hand trucks and dollies can save you from having to carry the heaviest boxes and pieces of furniture. Make sure that appliances like freezers are strapped and secured tightly when transporting them via a hand truck or dolly.
• When lifting heavy boxes, lift with your legs, and not your back. when you pick up a box, you should squat and use the power from your thighs to lift it. Never bend over at the waist as doing so can injure your back as you are putting all of the weight of the box into your back muscles.

Keep the Area Clean and Safe

Before Moving Day, take some time to check your home and make sure that the area is safe for you, your movers and your family.

• The moving van or car should have enough space to park in front of your house. If you live in a flat or apartment, you may need to take into consideration that the van will be parked out on the street. Work out the distance that the van will be from your home to determine the distance you’ll have to carry your belongings.
• Survey the path that will needed to be walked to and from your home. Remove potential hazards that could cause injuries, like random potted plants on the path! Also look out for uneven surfaces or pavements as these can often be a trip hazard. If you are moving during the winter, check for areas that may be covered with ice or snow.
• Inside your home, check for potential hazards and ensure there is a clear path to your boxes and furniture. If you have low-hanging tree branches outside your door, be aware they can get in the way, especially when manhandling heavy furniture, so ensure they are removed or tied out of the way.

Stay Safe

With all of the preparations that go into making sure that everything in and around your house is safe before Moving Day, sometimes you still can’t prepare for everything. It is therefore important to remain cautious on Moving Day and to be vigilant for any unexpected dangers that can occur.

• Organisation is Key: Keep all pathways clear of obstacles and debris at all times. Keep heavy and light boxes separate from each other and assign jobs and roles to everyone involved in the move, to streamline the moving process and prevent chaos.
• Wear Proper Attire: Your clothing plays an important role to maintaining safety. Wearing the right type of shoes is as important as having the proper moving equipment. You need to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes that will also serve as protection for your feet – and never ever wear sandals! Also, avoid loose or baggy clothing as it can easily get caught on things.
• Communicate: Lifting heavy boxes and large pieces of furniture can be extremely difficult without the proper amount of communication between all the people who are carrying it. Knowing when you turn right or left to avoid an obstacle, or move through a doorway can be key to avoiding injury. Also, let others know if you don’t have a firm grip on something, so you can avoid having a heavy item dropped on you.
• Don’t Lift Too Much: For your biggest pieces of furniture, make sure you have enough people to do the heavy lifting. large sofas and kitchen appliances should have a minimum of two people helping to carry the item. An addition person to direct them so they avoid obstacles and get the items safely from A to B is also very prudent.

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fragile belongings moving house moving in together tidy home

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