Posted on October 14, 2021
Even the fittest and most active people might feel the effects of moving day. On moving day, it’s not unusual for do-it-yourselfers to suffer back injuries, broken fingers, dislocated joints, wounds, and bruises. Fortunately, by following these 10 safety tips, you may reduce your chance of injury during your next move.
To avoid a last-minute rush, plan beforehand
When you have to leave your home sooner to make it on time, that’s when injuries are common. You take shortcuts, push yourself to your limits, and skip rest periods in order to complete the task in the shortest amount of time possible. But all the rush can usually be avoided by planning ahead.
Start planning the day you put your house on the market. Early on in the process, gather boxes, declutter, hire a mover, and get a head start on packing. A head start can help you save a significant amount of time in the long run. Create a timeline after you’ve established a moving date to ensure that the big day goes as smoothly as possible. You’ll be more attentive and prepared to avoid injury without the added stress.
Make sure your body is ready
Conditioning your core in the weeks prior to moving day might help you avoid injury. Make it a habit to do exercises like sit-ups or planks on a regular basis. Free weight lifting can also aid in the development of the core and back muscles that you use when moving. When it comes to preparing your muscles to get ready for such a physically demanding day, even five minutes of stretching every morning can make a significant impact.
Start your day with a brief walk or a little aerobic workout to get your heart rate up on moving day. To avoid injuries later in the day, rotate your joints, twist your body to loosen it up, stretches should be held for 30 seconds rather than bounced. Also, any stretching should be stopped before you feel pain.
The importance of nutrition cannot be emphasized. Fuel up with a high-protein breakfast before you commence lifting. Eggs, oatmeal with fruit, avocado toast, and protein pancakes are all good choices. Remember to remain hydrated during the day and take a break for a healthy lunch and dinner.
Lift light
You’re well aware that lifting too much weight could result in injury. You can strain your back as well as drop a box on your toe or tumble when lifting heavy boxes. Overpacking your boxes, especially smaller ones, can cause injury. Your fitness level will determine how much you can safely carry for a whole day, but no more than 40 pounds per box is recommended. If you have a history of back or knee problems, try lowering 30 to 35 pounds.
Moving boxes isn’t the only thing you’ll be doing. Heavy furniture may also be exhausting. If possible, break down large pieces of furniture into smaller loads. Simply place all screws and parts in a compact bag and tie it to the furniture so you can reassemble it at your new house.
Use the proper equipment
Use equipment such as a furniture dolly, appliance dolly, stair dolly, furniture sliders, and moving straps to help you move with ease is another option to lighten your load and avoid any type of injury. The proper equipment can help in carrying a lot of the weight, so you and your workers are less likely to be injured.
This type of equipment is available at most home improvement stores. Alternatively, you can frequently rent them from moving companies. Before moving day, read the instructions or watch internet videos to understand how to use the equipment. You can save yourself from back injuries by utilizing a furniture dolly, but if you don’t know how to use it properly, you risk injuring yourself just as badly.
Dress properly
Another thing to consider is what you will wear on your moving day. Pants, long sleeves, and gloves lower the chance of being scratched or cut, while closed-toed shoes reduce the risk of smashing your toes in case a heavy object falls on your feet. Heavy-duty work boots can also provide additional support to prevent an ankle from twisting while moving.
Consider wearing extra protective gear, especially if you’ve been injured before. A back brace can help support your back, a knee brace can help stabilize an otherwise unstable knee. It’s preferable to take these extra measures than to risk life-threatening injury if you don’t.
Clear a path to avoid injuries
Clear the path through your house before anyone starts moving boxes. Send your children to a friend’s or relative’s house, or tell them to stay in a certain room in your home to keep them out of the way. Do the same thing with your pets. Double-check the route throughout the day to ensure it remains perfectly safe.
When carrying heavy objects, it’s common to lose sight of what’s directly in front of you. That’s why it’s necessary to clear a passage from your house to the moving vehicle. Declutter early on in the moving process so you’ll have less to cope with on moving day. Then take a tour around your house, searching for any hidden hazards such as extension cables that you could overlook or a step that needs to be pointed out.
When carrying things through the home, always walk forward or backward. While it may be tempting to move sideways to see the route ahead of you, this position bends your lower back and puts pressure on your muscles.
Master the art of lifting
“Lift with your legs, not your back!” You’ve undoubtedly heard it before. However, proper lifting technique entails more than merely squatting. To begin, keep your feet shoulder-width apart and establish a wide base of support. Then, when you lift, squat so that the pressure is on your legs rather than your back. Remember to breathe and keep your back straight!
You should also carry the object high in order to maintain your back straight and reduce the pressure on your lower back. To assist properly distribute the weight and decrease strain, the weight should be near to your body—even up against your body if possible.
Know your limitations
Obviously, attempting to lift more weight than you can safely lift with moderate effort can result in added injury. Continuing to work after getting physically fatigued, on the other hand, puts you in danger of harm. Based on your previous experience lifting and being active, determine how much you can lift and how long you can work. Then don’t push yourself over those boundaries.
Take proper rests, even if you’re working within that period, to allow your body to rest and to ensure you’re not overextending muscles you don’t typically use. You should also drink plenty of water and eat enough food. Maintain the energy required for the task by eating a balanced, protein-rich lunch and dinner. As required, eat protein bars, fresh fruit, and trail mix.
To avoid injury, ask for help
Attempting to relocate without help is a recipe for disaster. You’ll probably overlook how long it’ll take you to move everything, and because you’re rushed for time, you’ll probably skip breaks or ignore your body’s signals that it can’t take much more. You set yourself up for back pain, twisted joints, and worse when you’re stressed and tired.
Solicit assistance. Not only that but make certain you have enough assistants to do the task quickly. A typical average-sized house takes two to four movers one day to pack, but your friends and family members aren’t experienced movers. Add an additional person or two to the number of professional movers you’d think you need for your relocation, based on the number of things you have.
Hire professional movers
Of course, hiring professional movers to do the hard lifting and physical labor for you is the most efficient method to avoid injuries. On moving day, professional movers can pack and load your possessions onto the truck.
When you get to your new house, they’ll also help you with unpacking and arranging your belongings. Because they’ll be doing most of the heavy lifting, you’ll be able to concentrate on unpacking boxes and organizing, which should be far less physically exhausting.