We hope you have been reading our many blogs to help you on and before moving day, taking all the valuable advice that you need. From our Moving Checklist, Packing Your Kitchen, to ensuring a smooth flow of boxes getting packed up and loaded on the truck, to arriving and settling in comfortably and quickly, we are always finding more great ideas to make your home, apartment or office move be the best ever! Here are ten tips on what to do during a move to help ensure a safe move.
- Focus on SAFETY. During a move, one main focus is on safety. There are lots of people moving about often carrying or moving heavy loads that can inhibit vision and maneuverability. Keep your eyes open and your head up! Keep long hair pulled back and trim long fingernails to avoid painful nail breaks. Keep small children and pets offsite so you’re not distracted and they are not underfoot.
- Keep Traffic Areas Clear. Ensure that boxes are pushed to the outer edges of rooms, or all pushed to the center of the room as they are packed. Keep doorways and main walkways unobstructed.
- Close cabinet and closet doors. When a cabinet is completely packed, close the doors. Their sharp edges and width create striking hazards and take up space. It will also help you to know that cabinet has been done.
- Watch for Hazards. When the dining table is removed, the chandelier becomes a head-bonking hazard. Hitch it up out of the way. When rug edges are exposed upon removing sofas, tables and chairs, you have a tripping hazard. Roll them up and move them to the truck or side of the room. If floors become muddy or wet from in-and-out foot traffic, make sure to keep towels handy to keep them dry.
- Move Things Carefully. Never over pack boxes, and test them periodically during packing to make sure you can lift them comfortably. Never strain your back or arms to lift something. Lift using your legs, not your back. When in doubt about moving something, get help, or let a professional mover handle it.
- Note Broken Items. If something in your home is already broken and has been patched together, notify the movers. If something becomes broken during the move, make a note of it to handle later. Again, by choosing a reputable moving company with whom you can have clear and honest communication, even if something near and dear to you becomes damaged, you will be able to handle the situation in time. Don’t hold up the move over small things.
- Walk Through. At the end before the trucks takes off do a complete walk through the house check all closets and cupboards for items you may have left behind. Remember to check attic and basement. You may just find small items left behind on a shelf or even an entire cupboard you forgot to pack.
- Cleaning Out Your Empty Home. By law, you are required to sweep out the home you are leaving. Depending upon your situation and any closing agreements you made, you definitely want to go through the empty house with a broom and dustpan. We also recommend going over shelves with a damp cloth, not only to leave the home clean, but also to make sure no precious items got overlooked.
- Lastly: Turn out all the lights, make sure all appliances that are staying are turned off. Your refrigerator should not be turned completely off as that may cause mold simply set it to the lowest setting and close the door. Make sure heater or air conditioner has been turned off and close all shutters, doors and drapes. Walk the outside perimeter of your home to make sure no outdoor items are left behind, and no windows are open.
- Lock the front door, side door and remember to leave the garage door opener where it can easily be found by the new owners, and now you are off to your new home!