Moving to a new house can be an exciting and exhilarating experience. It can also be tiring and potentially dangerous. Plenty of things can go wrong when you are moving heavy furniture and driving big trucks. Not only that, the time of year you choose to move affects safety. Winter moves are particularly challenging thanks to colder temperatures and sketchy weather.
There are times when moving in the winter is unavoidable. Maybe you need to move in order to take a new job. Perhaps you are a renter, and your landlord decides not to renew your lease. Whatever the case, you just need to be more careful with winter moves.
Go Heavy on the Straps and Blankets
One of the first things I would advise for a winter move is to go heavy on the straps and blankets. In terms of the straps, I’m thinking of cam straps or other types of tie-downs that keep cargo secure. I am especially fond of Rollercam tie-downs myself, but that’s a personal preference.
You need more of them during the winter because colder temperatures make furniture more fragile. You absolutely do not want things moving around in the back of your truck when temperatures are below freezing. Extra blankets can be a big help, too. The more blankets you have protecting your stuff, the less likely your stuff will be damaged.
Recruit a Lot of Helpers
Cold weather is rough on the body. When temperatures get especially cold, breathing can actually be difficult. So do not approach a winter move without recruiting plenty of helpers. More people translate into less work for everyone. A large enough crew allows everyone to take adequate breaks, as necessary.
When you and your helpers do decide to break, you are better off staying outside. Going from cold temperatures outside to immediately warm temperatures inside can cause medical issues. It is always best to gradually warm up when you’ve been exposed to cold temperatures for a while.
Make a Clear Path
Winter moves can be especially problematic in foul weather, or immediately thereafter. I mention this to say that you should make a clear path between truck and home. An icy driveway or sidewalk warrants a good coating of rock salt or ice melt. Make sure there is no standing snow or ice on the steps. You more or less want to eliminate any chance of slipping and falling.
Start Early in the Day
Moving day almost always comes with problems. Therefore, starting as early in the day as possible increases the chances of getting done before dark. This is especially important during winter moves because the days are so much shorter. So forget the leisurely breakfast and a start time of 10 AM. Get to it as soon as the sun is up.
Pay Attention to the Weather
Don’t forget to check the weather report in the days leading up to your move. Not that the weather will prevent you from moving, but you still want to know what you are potentially looking at. You want to be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you.
on the actual moving day, continue paying attention to the weather. You need to know if the weather is going to take a turn for the worse. And if it is already pretty bad, knowing that it’s going to clear up shortly can be a morale boost.
Winter moves aren’t easy. But they can at least be safe. If you ever need to move at this particular time of year, make an extra effort to do things safely.
