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There are a few things you should be preparing yourself for ahead of a big move, and one of these is the vital realm of injury prevention. Moving day will typically involve some significant physical activity, from packing and unpacking boxes to moving various items, with plenty of walking and other activities in between.
At Sullivan Moving & Storage, we’re happy to help. Our local and long-distance moving services are second to none in the Phoenix area, and one of the key roles we carry out for many clients is handling certain physical demands that they either can’t or don’t want to manage on their own. What are some of the top recommendations our team makes to clients when it comes to avoiding any injury risk on or ahead of moving day?
We know we just mentioned it, but the use of professional movers belongs at the top of this list for a few reasons. First, it reduces the overall amount of physical labor that you’ll need to put in on moving day. This is significant, as any given individual is likely to be more prone to injuries when performing manual tasks for long periods of time.
Second, professional movers are experienced in handling all sorts of items, from furniture to appliances, in ways that minimize the risk of dropping or otherwise mishandling them. They know how to use certain tools and techniques to get the job done quickly and efficiently, without putting you or your belongings at any undue risk.
Now, even if you’ve hired professional movers for some of your moving needs, many clients will still be involved in the process to some degree. If you’re among these individuals, and especially if you’ve had physical injuries or issues in the recent past, read on for some further tips on approaching the big day in safe, healthy ways.
Whether through a moving company or your own personal procurement, make sure you have any necessary equipment on-hand ahead of time. This includes items like:
In addition to the items above, you may also want to have some sort of first-aid kit on-hand, just in case. You can either put one together yourself or purchase a pre-made kit from any number of stores.
While there’s a temptation to try and fit everything into as few boxes as possible, this is generally not a good idea from a safety standpoint. If a box is too heavy, it’s more likely to be dropped, and if it’s too full, items could come spilling out if it’s not packed correctly. Either scenario puts you at risk for injury.
In short, take the time to pack your boxes correctly, and don’t try to save a few dollars by skimping on the number of boxes you use. It’s simply not worth it.
If you’re going to be doing any significant lifting or other manual labor on moving day, it’s always a good idea to do some sort of warm-up or stretching beforehand. This will help loosen up your muscles and reduce the risk of any strains or other injuries.
Even if you’re not planning on doing much lifting, it’s still a good idea to get your body moving a bit before starting up. Especially if you’ve had any previous injuries, you don’t want to put your body into sudden, strenuous activity without properly preparing it first.
Now, this doesn’t mean you have to spend hours at the gym or anything like that. Just a few simple exercises, like jumping jacks or arm and leg swings — plus some accompanying stretches — can help get your body ready for the physical activity to come.
One tip that’s important for both yourself and any professional movers you’ve hired is to make sure pathways and walkways are clear at all times. This includes both inside your current residence and outside, as you move items from one location to the next.
If there are any loose cords or other items lying around, make sure they’re properly secured or out of the way altogether. The last thing you want is for someone to trip over something and injure themselves.
The same goes for any items that might be in storage. If you’re keeping anything in a basement, attic, or garage, make sure it’s properly secured and out of the way before the movers arrive. This will minimize the chances of anyone getting hurt while accessing these areas.
Finally, a lifting tip straight from the pros: Never lift with your back. If you have to lift something heavy, always squat down first and then use your legs to help lift the item up. This will help minimize any strain on your back and reduce the risk of any associated injuries.
Of course, if an item is too heavy for you to lift safely, don’t try to force it. Either get some help or find another way to move the item. The last thing you want is to wind up injured on moving day.
If you take the right basic steps, from hiring professionals to several other areas, you can completely avoid any risk of injury or hazard during the moving process. For more on this, or to learn about any of our quality moving services or storage solutions for Phoenix clients, speak to the team at Sullivan Moving & Storage today.
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Helpful Tips & Resources from the Phoenix Moving Experts
