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4 Tips for Moving Safely

June 19, 2017

If you asked us to summarize the whole reason that you should move with Chicago professional movers in one word, we’d likely respond with “safety.” Because as important as getting the most for your money, relieving stress, and having professional movers handle art and other precious belongings, we doubt we’ll get much pushback for holding safety above else.

You may have heard a horror story from a friend about doing a move by his or herself and accidentally dropping a set of speakers down a flight of stairs in the process. And as less than ideal as losing any item during a move might be, having an injury on our watch is exactly why we train our movers to learn the safest and best ways to oversee a move.

Of course, injuries can happen well before we arrive and leave, so here are some of our most proven tips for moving safely in Chicago.

Table of Contents

4 Tips on How to Move Safely

1. Get the Proper Equipment

If you are moving any heavy items by yourself before your professional movers arrive or you are doing the move by yourself, put a couple of dollies on the top of your shopping list to take the strain off your back when moving your entertainment center, piano or another heavy object.

Additionally, as we’ve discussed in the past, not all boxes are made equal. Don’t only get the right size boxes to cut down on space for items to move around in, but get the best, most durable boxes possible. You don’t want the bottom of that overpacked box to give out and break a few toes, right? Lastly, get plenty of straps to secure the items on the dolly.

2. Know Your Weights

One extremely common packing mistake is to try and cram as much as possible into one box. A good rule of thumb is to not surpass fifty pounds when packing boxes with kitchen goods and other items that can add weight quickly. Bigger boxes should hold lighter objects and smaller boxes should hold heavier objects, whenever possible.

Additionally, depending on the service you use, you may have to bring heavy items downstairs and to the front room for your professional movers (this is not always required). So while it’s tempting to put as much into a box as it can take, remember it’s not just you that will be carrying the box and that it might not hold if you skimped on your packing materials. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

3. Look Out for the Danger Zones

Take it easy Top Gun, we get that you’re eager to get on with your move but here’s one step that many people do not consider prior to the day of the move. How well do you know your new apartment or home and the area around it? Do you know if there’s a spot where black ice forms? Will your walkway become slippery when wet?

When preparing for a move, don’t just note the issues that are always there, like potholes or strict neighborhood parking policies. If you’re moving in the winter or during a rainy day, learn about issues that happen when the weather changes so you’re prepared for all situations.

4. Dress to Move

Our last step might seem insignificant but you’ve never watched a grown man nearly pass out while wearing a cashmere sweater during a move. Whether you’re doing the moving yourself, working with professional movers, or simply overseeing the whole affair, you’re going to be moving, a lot.

Just like riding a bike or skateboard, it might not feel cool to wear a helmet and other safety gear, but it can truly save lives. So strap on those knee pads, get some protective gloves, and wear comfortable but not too loose-fitting of clothes. You don’t want to get your shirt or shorts getting snagged on a railing and going for a nasty tumble.

At the end of the day, we could list over 100 things we’ve learned over the years to ensure both our clients’ and movers’ safety. But by keeping the above tips in mind, you’ll guard yourself against many of the most common incidents.