Moving day is coming up quickly, so it’s important that everyone who will help out with the move be aware of any safety precautions they should take to avoid injury or accident during this stressful time. Starting early in the process by knowing these tips could save your back from stress down the road.
Many things can happen on moving day, leading to an injury or accident if proper care isn’t taken. But there are ways you can keep yourself and others around you safe.
1. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Amid the chaos that is moving day, it’s easy to forget you have been wearing your comfy pajamas all day. Although relaxing in a sweatsuit isn’t a great look for anyone but yourself, be sure you’re at least putting on clothes that are loose and comfortable.
2. Use Proper Body Mechanics
It’s crucial that everyone know how to lift heavy objects correctly. The easiest way to prevent any injury from lifting is by knowing what the correct form looks like when doing so. When picking something up off the ground, squat with your legs wide apart, grab hold of it as close as possible to your body, and stand up. For those bigger items, you must use your core to pick it up, not your back!
3. Seat Cushions Are Your Friend
If there is one way to make the moving day the most comfortable day of all time, it’s by grabbing a few seat cushions. Not only will these comfortable items be great for sitting on while driving, but they can also reduce any back pain you may experience when lifting heavy objects because they take some of the pressure off your lower back.
4. Stretch Out
Stretching out before and after moving is just as important as wearing comfortable clothes during this stressful day. Never underestimate how taxing even carrying something small around can be on your body, so stretch out those muscles before you start working them too hard. Your muscles will thank you later!
5. Make Sure the Moving Company Has Proper Tools and Equipment
It’s important to hire a moving company with the proper equipment and manpower. This way, you will be able to stay safe even when something really heavy needs to be moved because there will always be someone around who can help. For example, they should have a portable axle scale, which will help weigh the truck accurately so that it doesn’t get overloaded.
6. Don’t Forget to Drink Water
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to forget about staying hydrated when you’re busy working on the move. Staying hydrated will help your muscles function better, which means less risk of injury. A good rule of thumb is to drink eight glasses of water throughout the day, whether you feel thirsty or not.
7. Make Sure You Take Breaks Frequently
Although it feels great to get everything done as quickly as possible, everyone needs to remember that breaks are just as important as hard work during moving day. A break can give them some time away from all the heavy lifting they’ve been doing and even give them some time alone to recharge before continuing with their work.
8. Know When to Call It Quits
There’s nothing wrong with taking a break and calling it quits for the day if everyone needs one. No one should feel pressured to work non-stop during moving day, so knowing when they’ve done enough is important. If someone feels any pain or is exhausted, they need to listen to their body and immediately stop what they are doing. If they aren’t taking breaks, there may be consequences later on!
9. Pay Attention at All Times
Everyone must stay focused on moving day because accidents happen more often than most people would like to think about. Many of these accidents are caused by simply not paying attention while working around the house, which means staying focused could help you avoid any injury.
10. Get Proper Medical Care Right Away
Even when the moving day goes perfectly and everyone stays safe, there is always the risk of experiencing a minor injury such as a sprain or even just a scratch. If any injury does occur, it’s important to get medical attention right away so that they don’t become worse over time due to not getting proper medical care.
Moving day is often a very strenuous and stressful time for everyone involved. Prepare yourself well in advance by making sure you have all the equipment you need, taking breaks frequently, and staying safe at all times. After everything is moved to its new home, it will be time to celebrate a job well done.