There aren’t any solid stats on how many people get injured while moving, but it is safe to say that many people suffer from strained backs, pulled muscles, and smashed toes (not to mention all the serious injuries which land people in the hospital!).
Many people set about moving thinking that injury won’t happen to them. They tell themselves that they will be careful, that they are strong, and that they know how to lift properly. However, as moving day wears on, they become tired and start acting a bit carelessly. Instead of calling for help to move that large box, they try to do it themselves and end up with a back injury. They think that they can handle getting the heavy sofa up the steps, only to realize they underestimated its bulk and have it crash down on them.
Stay safe on moving day! By following these simple tips, you can drastically reduce your chances of getting injured.
Wear the right clothes
Moving day is NOT the day to wear your comfy sandals or heeled boots. Nor is it the day when you want to wear tight jeans. Make sure you are dressed properly to prevent injury. Wear steel-toed boots (or at least sneakers), comfortable jeans, and fitted t-shirts.
Stretch!
Take a few minutes in the morning to do some basic stretching. This will warm up your muscles and prepare them for the work ahead of them. You will also want to stretch after you finish moving to reduce muscle soreness.
Lift with your legs
Lifting should always be done with your legs, not your back. If you have a weak back, consider getting a back brace to wear while lifting so your spine stays in position.
Cut handles into heavy boxes
When packing boxes which will contain heavy items, first cut triangle-shaped handles into the sides, this makes it much easier and safer to carry them.
Label heavy boxes
When packing, you will also want to take the time to label boxes as heavy. The weight won’t catch you buy surprise then.
Move large, heavy items first
You should always move the large, heavy items first. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that you should always tackle heavy items before you get fatigued. The second reason is that you need to load the moving truck so big items are in first, and then small items can be stacked around them.
Rent a hand truck
If you are doing the move yourself, you will probably have to pay extra to rent a hand truck. This extra expense is well worth it! It will help you get the move done much faster by being able to move multiple boxes at once, and will greatly reduce your risk of back injury from lifting heavy items.
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