Moving Day Safety Tips
Moving day is both exciting and stressful. There will likely be lots of heavy and fragile items moving around and these can cause injury if not moved correctly. Use these moving day safety tips to avoid an accident on your big day. If you or a loved one was injured helping someone move you may want to seek the services of a personal injury lawyer.
Moving Day Safety Tips
Limit box weight-pack all your boxes to be 50 pounds or less. You can test weight by ensuring that you can lift it without too much strain. If you use large boxes be sure to pack mostly light items or at least 50 percent light to balance the weight.
Lift items correctly -never bend over; squat down and lift with your entire lower body.
Rent moving equipment-renting a dolly and some heavy duty straps can save a lot of back strain in moving heavy items. It can also speed things up as you can stack multiple boxes on a dolly at one time.
Plan for the moving pathway –park as closely to the driveway or entryway with the easiest access as you can. Mark outdoor stairs with chalk, warn movers about uneven walkways and clear paths of hanging obstructions and ground level protrusions if practical. If your pathway may become slippery when wet (especially if you are crossing over grass), you should consider purchasing or renting a traction mat from a moving company.
Wear proper clothing and footwear –form fitting clothing that won’t catch or snag on items is best. Wear supportive, closed-toe footwear, with good grip. This becomes particularly important if it is raining or snowing.
Identify heavy and fragile boxes and furniture– this way the appropriate person(s) can move those items.
Every mover should have a role –This can help prevent people from colliding into each other and can speed up the moving process. Assembly lines can be helpful or having a couple of people to load items onto the truck while others bring items to them.
Use good communication-when passing a heavy box to another mover make sure it is firmly in their grip. When two people are carrying an item, it is important to check that each person has solid footing and a firm grip before moving forward. It is also a good idea to have an extra person there as a spotter and director.
Keep small children and pets out of the way-you will likely be distracted during a move and you don’t want to be worrying about your childrens’ or pets’ safety.
Have refreshments on hand-dehydration and low blood sugar from lack of nourishment is a recipe for accidents.
Consider hiring a professional for specialty items such as pianos, large appliances, and valuable antiques. Hopefully your moving day goes smoothly but just in case, keep a first-aid kit and cell phones handy.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
