How to Stay Safe when Moving Home
It can be challenging to stay safe when moving home because there are so many things that you must do. To avoid injury or upset, try getting these essentials organized beforehand.
CC0 Licensed Image Courtesy of Pexels
Hire a Reputable Moving Company
If you have a lot to move and over a fair distance, you cannot do it yourself as there is likely just too much to do. This is where moving companies come in handy. Professional movers are great at getting your stuff from one place to another. However, be aware that some are mere scams. So do your research first. And keep firms like Manfred Sternberg & Associates on hand just in case a clumsy or even a scammer mover causes injury to you, your family, or your property.
Keep Access Points Clear
You need to be in and out of your home a lot when you are moving. Because of this, there are many hazards you can encounter. These include falling boxes, catching things on the wall, and tripping over carpets and rugs. So before you do anything, make your access points as clear as humanly possible. The last thing you want is an injured back while moving. And some movers may even refuse to work if there are obstacles or dangerous hazards in their way.
Stay Safe when Moving Home with Proper Packing
You must pack things properly when you move. At the very least, you risk damaging your stuff. But poorly packed boxes can also result in injury. For instance, bad stacking can cause buckling. But you must also ensure that any lids are fitted tightly. And secure cardboard boxes with duct tape if necessary. Additionally, pay attention to the weight of any boxes and never place more than they can handle inside. Some moving companies often offer packing supplies.
Set Aside a Room for Packing
There will be a lot of foot traffic on the day you are moving. And it can be very surprising just how much stuff you have. If possible, allocate a room for packing and storing the things that need to be moved. This will help reduce the chances of something going wrong. Arrange the stuff around the room next to the walls so you have space to work while packing. And also, try to order your stuff to make it easier to remove from the van when you get to your new home.
Have Pets and Kids Looked After
Kids and pets will only get in the way. So if it’s at all possible, have someone look after them while you are packing the van. Of course, you can begin packing the van on a weekday while the kids are in school. You can also look into day care for infants in Alexandria, VA (or somewhere local to you) if your children have not yet reached school age. But pets are tricker. Cats and dogs need some attention, and it isn’t fair to lock them in a room. Maybe a neighbor can give you a hand with the pets. There are also options for doggy daycare or similar options for other pets. It can take multiple hours, or even all day, to fully pack a moving van, depending on how much stuff you have, so you can’t leave your pets or children unsupervised for this length of time.
Summary
It helps to try to stay safe when moving home, or you may injure yourself. Hire a moving company to help with heavy stuff, pack correctly, and ask someone to watch the kids and pets.
