Avoid Injuries While Moving With These 3 Tips

You probably don't think of a household move as an especially dangerous endeavor, but the truth is, there are all sorts of possible accidents and injuries that can occur while you're packing, loading, and moving. And because you may be stressed out or pressed for time when you're in the middle of moving, you may not be as careful as you would have been otherwise. Take a look at some tips that can help keep you safe while you're moving into your new home.

Lift Properly

You've probably been told before that you should lift with your legs, not with your back. It's good advice, but easy to forget when you're busy loading box after box onto the back of a truck. Reviewing proper lifting technique before the day of the move may help keep it fresh in your mind.

Remember to put your feet down flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart, and squat down to pick up your item, don't bend. Looking straight ahead instead of down can help you keep your back straight as you grab the item, lift it, and straighten back up. Hold your item as close to your body as possible and take small steps if you have to walk with it.

Stay Hydrated

Moving is thirsty work, and staying hydrated is a real concern. This is especially important in the summer months, when you may be spending a lot of time lifting in the heat. Packing items in a house or apartment where the electricity has already been turned off can also lead to overheating and thirst.

Remember that once you start feeling thirsty, you're already on your way to being dehydrated. Make sure that you have water on hand on moving day, and drink enough to keep you from feeling thirsty in the first place. If you're going to be working in extreme heat for more than one hour, you need more than water. A sports drink that contains electrolytes and carbohydrates is a better choice to prevent both dehydration and low blood sodium.

Make Your Walkways Safe

It's easy to overlook hazards in your path when your arms are full of stuff and you're trying to move quickly. Even if you normally have no trouble navigating a slick floor or a cracked sidewalk, your risk of an accident increases when you have a heavy box in your hands.

Make sure that you move any slip or trip hazards out of the way before you start carrying boxes. Things like throw rugs are easy to forget about until you step on them the wrong way – take them off the floor before you get started. Clean up any wet spots and put rubber mats down on slick floors for better traction.

Most importantly, don't try to take on more than you can handle by yourself. Moving can be hard, and trying to do too much on your own is a sure recipe for an accident. Don't hesitate to ask for help or hire a local moving company if the job is to much for you. 

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