Safety Tips For Moving Day

Buying a new home ranks high on the list of stressful things we do. That's a good reason to practice safety when moving into your next home! So that your move will go easily and quickly, with no damage to any of your property or to yourself, keep these tips in mind:

1. Packing boxes: Keep them light! It's worse packing your boxes than unpacking. When you're packing you're anxious to weed through the things you don't want and just finish the job. But make certain that you don't overload boxes. You don't want to pick up a box on moving day and rupture a disk! Keep most boxes at twenty to thirty pounds, and no box should be over fifty pounds. Apply lots of tape, preferably acrylic carton sealing tape at least 2" wide.

2. Lifting: It's worth taking the time to show all your helpers how to lift safely. Demonstrate lifting with your legs and not with your back. Stand close to heavy objects, bend your knees, and use your thighs to push up.

3. Map out your route: Inspect the way out of your old house as well as the way into your new one. Look for steps that need to be cleared, uneven or cracked pavement, anything that hangs low, or grassy areas you'll have to traverse. Will your entire move be accomplished in daylight? If not, make certain outdoor lights work. Be prepared to lay down rubber traction mats in the event of rain.

4. Supplies: On the day of the move have a first-aid kit available with bandaids, tweezers, and headache medication. Appoint someone to keep track of a working phone. If children are too young to help, drop them off at a neighbor's. They can be dangerous if they are underfoot or if they try to do tasks beyond their abilities. And, for comfort more than safety, have bottled water and toilet paper available at both locations. Use sunscreen.

5. Clothing: Wear sensible shoes and work gloves. Nobody gets to wear sagging jeans, dangling belts or ties, or long shirttails. Hats cannot fall over eyes.

6. Dolly: You should rent one or preferably two of these, available where you lease the moving truck. With these handy helpers, you can move heavy boxes farther, or you can stack boxes and move several at once. Ask if your moving truck has a ramp.

7. Flammable Items: Do not move old fireworks, paint thinner, old cans of paint, aerosol cans, and similar products. Dispose of these ahead of time by calling your local township and asking where you can drop them off. Drain gasoline from your lawnmower.

8. Appliances: Defrost, drain, and dry your refrigerator or freezer. When you disconnect your stove, make certain the gas line is tightly sealed. If you have an electric stove, pack the coils separately.

9. Drawers: Don't try to move dressers with filled drawers inside. Pack the dresser contents. Then, either remove the drawers and carry them separately, or tape them closed so they don't swing out and cause injury during movement.

Above all, remain patient during this most frustrating of all days. If several things seem to go wrong at once, take a break and sit down for fifteen minutes. That brief amount of time won't make much difference in the course of the whole day, and it will help you keep a cheerful perspective. The day will be difficult, but you will look back on it with good memories.