Moving Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Opportunities abound in the home for injuries to occur. A lot of people are surprised to learn the number of things in an average home that has the potential to cause injuries. Regardless of how careful its inhabitants are, there is a risk of suffocation or falling in most homes.

These risks become greater during a house move. Falls are likely to happen from items strewn about the home. Back injuries also occur as people try to lift extremely heavy objects.

But injuries during a house move are not inevitable; they are totally preventable. With a few precautions, says Central Florida Property Management, it is possible to avoid ending up in the hospital. These simple safety measures will keep you from getting injured during the move.

1. Stretch before you begin

Tight, stiff, and fatigued muscles injure easily. Before you start work, loosen joints and muscles by doing simple stretches. Do not sit in one position for long periods at a time. Get up once in a while; move around to boost your circulation and stretch to keep your body limber. Also, drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.

2. Wear the right clothes

The wrong clothes will make your work difficult and leave you prone to injury. Avoid anything that can get caught on edges and protrusions – tattered, dangling, and flowing clothes. Long sleeves and pants that reach below the knees protect your skin from scrapes.

Clothes should not be baggy or so tight that they restrict movement. In warm weather wear breathable fabrics. Dump your sandals, high-heels, and flip-flops in favor of sports shoes or boots with anti-slip soles and a good grip.

3. Wrap sharp objects securely

Knives and sharp objects can fall through a box or pierce its sides and cut someone. Taking your time to wrap knives and other sharp objects will prevent this. When wrapping sharp objects, do not use materials that are easily pierced through.

Depending on how sharp and heavy the object is, first wrap it in packing paper or bubble wrap or both. For an extra layer of protection, wrap it again with a dish towel and hold everything in place with a rubber band. Make sure to wrap not just the edges of knives but their tips also.

4. Pack boxes safely

When packing boxes, there are rules to follow. Boxes should be packed full to prevent their contents from rolling, sliding, and breaking. At the same time, boxes should not be so heavy that they are difficult to lift.

 Put heavy items at the bottom and lighter objects on top; this ensures the box is not top-heavy and unstable. Double-tape the sides and bottom of boxes to keep them from bursting when lifted.

Be careful when packing objects that cannot be contained in a box. Oddly shaped objects can be a problem, especially if they are large and heavy.

5. Remove obstructions and tripping hazards

It is not always possible to see what is in front of you if you are carrying boxes. Accidents easily happen in such situations. Keep all paths clear to avoid trips and falls. Make sure small children and pets are out of the way all the time.

To make it easier, designate a specific moving route, so everyone knows that they should keep it clear. In addition to pathways inside the house, clear the external pathway too.

All obstructions and potential hazards between the house and the moving truck should be removed; debris on the ground, overhanging tree branches, snow, mud, water, and ice.

6. Rent moving equipment

A dolly makes moving heavy objects easier and safer. It saves you from excessive straining. In addition to a 2-wheel dolly, furniture sliders, and a 4-wheel furniture dolly are essential. They make moving unwieldy furniture pieces easier. And you can use them to move a lot more than furniture. Using moving equipment significantly reduces the risk of someone slipping and falling.

7. Use the right lifting technique

Even when you rent moving equipment, you may still have to lift heavy objects. Always use the right technique if you lift anything. Doing so will protect your back and prevent injuries. Here are the fundamental movements involved in this technique:

• Keep your back straight as you bend at your knees (not the waist). Your butt should go down toward the ground as if you are squatting.
• Keep feet wide apart; usually wider than the object you are about to lift or the same width as it.
• Still keeping your back straight, grip the object firmly with both hands. Make sure you keep your arms inside your legs.
• Now raise yourself the same way you went down, by straightening your knees (you will see that you lifted the object with your hips and not your back).

To see this technique in use, watch small children. They do it all the time. Finally, in addition to using the right technique, never lift more than you are comfortable with.