| If you’re one of the fortunate people able to take advantage of the current buyers market in the UK; you’ll soon be getting excited about moving home. Then, as you begin to make necessary arrangements, you will realise why moving home is listed in the top 3 ‘most stressful things to do’!
After from the legal issues and paperwork comes the practical logistics (and additional stress!) of the actual move itself. Many people overlook safety issues during relocation, especially when you’re doing it all yourself. Whether or not you are using a removal firm (and that is generally recommended) here are some good tips on how to avoid potential injuries and to minimize hazards.
Box Weight
You probably won’t have scales to weigh each box but as a test you should be able to lift it without difficulty and so you feel steady on your feet and walking with it. It might make sense to pack all your coffee table books in one box but there’s a good chance you won’t be able to move the box!
Remember to pick up any boxes correctly by bending from the knees and be aware of where you are taking the box to and from – at both ends – that is how many narrow corridors, stairs or distance do you have to negotiate? Label your boxes too so anyone lifting them, yourself or the removals firm, know when things are going to be heavy or fragile.
Use equipment where possible
If you have access to a trolley or similar, or can rent one inexpensively and you have a lot of heavy stuff to move, then it’s probably worth doing. Don’t overstack the trolley though and make sure anything on it is secure before attempting to move it. Unless it’s completely obvious, make sure you know how to use the equipment and that it’s working properly in the first place.
Be aware of access hazards at both properties
Before moving day, check out the area around your current home and the new home. Note the closest spot where the truck can park and if you need to reserve the spot prior to move out or move in day.
Check for any uneven pavement or loading areas. Make sure all the relevant people are aware of steps, potholes, slippery surfaces (such as grass or tiles), low hanging or protruding obstacles and remove or clearly mark where possible.
Clothing & footwear
Sounds silly but it is important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. It needs to be practical, comfortable and probably stretchy given all the moving around you will be doing. Footwear needs to have good grip and be supportive. Gloves may also be useful for lifting. Obvious stuff like high heels, open toes, jewellery, exposed skin etc needs to be avoided!
Be organized on the day
Make sure everyone knows what they are doing. House removals can become confusing as everyone is in a hurry to get things done, but this is when collisions and accidents can happen. Arrange with the removals firm (if you are using one) who’s doing what and get something like an assembly line going.
Communicate to everyone involved, use simple commands and have one person in overall charge of the process. Simple things like being sure someone has hold of the other end of the box you’re passing them are really important and can prevent one of the most common hazards of moving – squashed fingers and toes as a result of a box slipping out of someone’s hands!
Hire professional removal firms to move specialty items. Pianos, large appliances and valuable antiques are just some of the items that you need help with, including dismantling and reinstalling.
Keep young kids and pets out of the way!
Have a neighbour look after them and move them last – you don’t want to be worrying about what they are doing or if they are OK or might escape (the pets generally!) on top of everything else.
Keep yourself fed and watered
It might seem like a good idea to do a 12 hour house removal shift but fatigue will soon set in, so make sure you have plenty of food and fluid and take breaks.
Keep a first aid kit to hand
Just to be on the safe side! Plasters, saline, savlon or equivalent may come in useful for scrapes or blisters.
Also keep emergency numbers to hand and shared amongst everyone– just in case.
Moving home is fun isn’t it?! Good luck!
…………………….
The author is a specialist in moving house, removal firms and Home Information Packs. |
Article Details
Hostgator Discount codes:
