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Monday 24 August 2015

Healthy Relocations

There are so many things that are potential health risks in a move. Injuries can come from pulled muscles, dropped items, thrown out backs, dehydration, heat exhaustion, overexertion... any number of things! Let's go over a few things, and how to prevent them.

The first step to ensuring a safe move starts before the movers arrive. Proper packing will save toes and backs! Balance the weight out in each box. No box should be heavier than about 25 kilograms. If the boxes are too heavy, they will be more difficult to take up and down any stairs, and may cause back strain! Also, know the approximate dimensions of your new home. If the passageways are too narrow, pick packaging that is appropriate! Big boxes or items won't fit down narrow hallways, so make a plan of how to get these items into your new home safely and undamaged. Also, make sure to clear the path to the truck both the old and new homes.

Back injuries are all too common when moving heavy items. Be careful and be prepared! Some simple things can be done to help avoid these painful injuries. First, make sure everyone stretches properly before starting moving. It seems silly, but it can go a long way to helping prevent back trauma. Also, consider investing in a few back braces for the heavy lifters. These are useful all the time, not just for moving times!

Which brings up another point: dress appropriately. Loose fitting clothing and close toed shoes are a must. Sandals lead to broken toes, slips and falls. Make sure to have shoes with a non-slip sole, and good ankle support. Also, while loose fitting clothing is important, try to avoid any clothing that may get caught between objects or in doors. 

If you're doing the moving on your own, or with your friends and family, please be considerate to them, and rent the right equipment. Dollies, gloves, back braces and furniture sliders are all incredibly useful. Gloves both protect your fingers and give extra grip on all things. Dollies and furniture sliders can transform the chore of moving heavy furniture and appliances into a breeze as they slide or roll right out of the house and into the moving truck. We've already mentioned back braces, but they're worth mentioning again! 

Just like clearing the path to the truck, be on the lookout for dangers! A common problem: leaky appliances that drip water when being moved and rainy days. Keep the floors dry at all times, and figure out a way to keep the rain outside, not in. Also, make sure to keep the paths of egress clear for anyone moving in and out of the house, especially those carrying heavy objects!  Make sure to keep in mind obstacles like low branches, uneven sidewalks, etc. Make sure to point these out to your helpers! Children and pets can also be obstacles, so make sure they are properly entertained and out of the way!

Also, it's probably a good idea to have a first aid kit on standby just in case. Bandages, wraps, pain killers, first aid creams, etc. Much better to be over-prepared and have no emergency than to have an emergency and no way to handle it! 

While you may have opted for a DIY move, sometimes it's still a good idea to hire movers for large, heavy objects. These items are much more risky and difficult to get moved in and out of houses. Appliances and furniture may need to be broken down, disconnected, and then reassembled in the new home. Especially with wiring, the experts might be your best friend! 

Lastly, keep in mind other weather considerations. Hot days will require more hydration and break times. Cold days will require proper attire and care. Have some extras on hand for your helpers to make sure they don't get heat exhaustion or other injuries! And, don't forget to feed them!

Remember, if you need help with your move, give us a call at 6747-6636 for a free quote! We can provide everything from packaging to pain-free relocations!

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