Moving Safety

Moving is never easy. It can be stressful, difficult, emotionally draining, and even potentially dangerous. This is especially true for someone who is doing it for the first time and lacks professional knowledge.

Of course, if you have the budget, then it’d make perfect sense to just hire local professional movers. However, if you may be moving or preparing some items on your own, then you need to acquaint yourself with some safety tips, lest you risk injuring yourself or hurting your back during the moving process, says East Bay Management.

So, in this blog, we’ll take you through 9 moving safety tips to help you relocate your items as safely as possible.

Tip #1: Begin planning early.

Good organization is key to having a successful moving process. Ideally, begin as early as two to three weeks early. To help make the transition smoothly and limit the chances of errors, prepare a checklist.

Next, figure out how you are going to move heavy objects. If you have large, bulky items, make sure you get someone that can assist you to move them.

Tip #2: Avoid over-packing.

Moving boxes are designed to carry a certain weight, and exceeding it can only mean problems. It can cause you to injure or strain your knees, back, and other joints. So, just because 80 pounds of books can fit into that box doesn’t mean you should.

Generally speaking, avoid packing more than 50 pounds, 65 pounds, and 70 pounds on a small box, medium box, and a large box respectively.

If you have bulky items like cushions, clothes, comforters, and linens, go for extra-large boxes. These boxes are meant for bulky items that aren’t necessarily heavy.

Tip #3: Dress appropriately.

You can’t just dress in any attire when moving things. Slippery shoes, for example, will only serve to increase slip, trip, and fall injuries. So, get suitable clothes and shoes which are comfortable and secure to move around in.

Tip #4: Don’t try to lift more than you safely can.

Moving large and bulky items from one place to another can be overwhelming and even back-breaking. Besides having mental balance and physical strength, you’ll also need to use the right lifting techniques.

The techniques include:

  • Avoid lifting any heavy items over your head.
  • When carrying heavy items, ensure to center it close to your body.
  • Push heavy items forward to avoid injuring your knees or back.


Tip #5: Use a dolly.

A moving dolly is a horizontal moving cart that’s safe and easy to use. It’s like riding a bicycle without a seat. It’s designed to move heavy boxes or equipment, and can hold up to a thousand pounds.

Most dollies have four slats. These are long, thin metal pieces that have been assembled together to form a square upon which items can be carried.

A moving dolly can help carry items like crates, grand pianos, couches, bookcases, filing cabinets, refrigerators, and washing machines. A professional moving company will supply or use a dolly if necessary.

Tip #6: Keep toddlers and pets safe.

Have kids and furry friends? If you do, then keep them safe by having someone care for them during the moving process. You could hire a babysitter or simply have a relative or friend look after them.

Tip #7: Do some exercises.

Having tight and stiff muscles will only increase your chances of getting injured or hurt during the moving process. So, loosen up your body by making a point to stretch at least every day, especially the last week before the D-day.

If you have a problem on your knees or shoulders, ensure to pay more attention to them to help prevent and relieve any discomfort or stress.

Tip #8: Ensure the pathway is clear.


Sounds obvious, right? However, forgetting this crucial part of the moving process can be rather easy. So, to ensure you have a clear pathway when moving, here are a few things to keep in mind.

First, make sure to organize movable items out of the way. Make sure that movable items haven’t blocked the walking area between rooms. Besides organizing moving boxes, you also want to make sure that walkways are clear. Get rid of obstacles like excessive leaves, branches, or toys that could hinder smooth transportation.

The other thing you want to do is keep the driveway open and clear. Make sure it’s free from things like gardening equipment, outdoor toys, bikes, or cars. The last thing you’d want is someone tripping over something and getting injured.

Tip #9: Ask for professional help.

Unless you have the experience, handling an entire move by yourself can be anything but smooth. From packing to lifting to loading items, you’re bound to make one too many mistakes.

If you want to get everything right during your move, then consider asking for professional help. Interview a couple of moving companies to ensure you get the best bang for your buck.

Moving houses entails a lot of, well, moving parts. There is a lot of lifting, loading, pulling, and pushing. Without doing these safely, you could seriously get injured in the process. Thankfully, these 9 tips should help keep you safe while moving.