How to avoid injuries when moving

With the turn of a New Year, many are looking for a fresh start and one of the biggest ways that can happen… is with a move! Today’s guest article comes from Sophia Perry from AZ Moving Pros.

There are a lot of things you need to pay attention to while moving. You need to make sure that your possessions are safely transported to your desired location. And you need to find reliable movers to help you do so. But, the most important thing that you should do is avoid injuries when moving. Although this sounds self-explanatory and easy, a lot of people neglect safety protocols when moving and end up hurting themselves. And, seeing as a single injury can easily ruin your whole relocation, let us take a better look at how you should minimize the risk of a moving mishap.

If you have ANY doubts, a Physical Therapist will tell you that the best way to deal with injuries is to avoid them.

Moving preparations

As you will soon learn, every relocation has a number of potential moving injuries that can occur. Before we delve into proper safety protocols for moving day, let’s first tackle moving preparations. After all, the safety of your move will in large part depend on how well you prepare. So, if you want to avoid injuries when moving, start off by carefully preparing for your relocation and not taking any shortcuts. Be it financial or otherwise.

Starting on time

The first advice we have for you is to start preparing on time. If you postpone your moving preparations, you will have to rush them, and rushing is the most common cause of moving mishaps. So, the easiest way to increase the overall safety of your relocation is to start preparing as soon as possible. Head on to sites like divinemoving.com and read as much as you can about your future relocation. The more research you do, the safer your relocation will be.

Make sure to give yourself enough time to deal with any mistakes that might pop up.

Alt: A person making plans in their calendar.

Proper packing

One of the things you probably run into while doing your research is proper packing. Now, you will find guides that will tell you how to pack properly, but they might not tell why that is important. Well, as it turns out, packing is arguably the most important part of moving when it comes to safety.

If you do not pack, wrap and label your moving boxes properly, there is a high chance that a moving mishap will occur. And, as luck would have it, that mishap will occur with a heavy, expensive item. So, not only do you stand to lose a lot of money, but you also risk injuring yourself or anyone helping you. Keep all of this in mind while you read your packing guide and make sure to follow it step by step.

If one of your friends gets hurt while helping you relocate, make sure to take them to the nearest Physical Therapist as soon as possible.

Finding help

Some of you may think that you can deal with moving all by yourself. And, for a small percentage of you, that is correct. If you have the proper equipment and tools, and you have the right people to call, you can manage a DIY move. But, for 95% of you reading this, this is simply not the case. For instance, if you are moving your family, you need to hire professional movers. Furthermore, elderly people should have professional help when moving, especially if it is to a different state. Moreover, if you want to do it properly, even moving with a pet will require professional help. So, as a good rule of thumb, do yourself a favor and find professional movers to help you out.

The best way to avoid injuries when moving is to have reliable movers at your side.

Alt: A person hiring reliable movers in order to avoid injuries when moving.

Taking care of yourself

A lot of people forget that they need to prepare themselves for moving. By this, we do not mean notifying your friends or finding a job, although both of those will be necessary. Instead, we mean that you need to prepare your body and mind for the hardships of relocation. You can do so by going on a regular sleep schedule and eating properly.

Also, regular exercise is a must if you plan on actively participating in your relocation. Most of the people reading this spend their days in a sedentary position. This leaves them (and probably you) vulnerable to various injuries when lifting heavy objects. So, before moving day comes, strengthen your core and legs. Do what you can to avoid injuries when moving.

If you do injure yourself while moving, again make sure to consult a Physical Therapist. A small injury can prove to be quite problematic if left untreated.

What to keep in mind in order to avoid injuries when moving

If you have prepared properly and hired reliable movers, you should be in the clear to have a decent relocation. But, that still doesn’t mean that you will avoid injuries when moving. In order to do so, there are certain safety protocols that you need to follow in order to ensure an injury-free relocation.

Safety first

Safety should be your number one priority at all times. Even if it means doing things a bit slower or for a greater cost. Don’t jeopardize your relocation over a couple of bucks or to save a couple of minutes. If you plan on participating, make sure to get safety gear. Also, make sure to talk with your movers about how to make your house safe for moving day.

Proper lifting

Another thing to remember is that, if you plan on lifting heavy objects, you need to utilize the proper technique. If you followed our guide, you should have enough core strength and stability to deal with your everyday objects. But, if you want to avoid any chance of moving injury, make sure to only lift with a proper technique. Either talk with your movers about it or watch a tutorial before moving day comes.

Go online and learn how to lift heavy objects from professionals.

Alt: A weightlifter getting ready to do a dead-lift.

Listen to your movers

Even if you spend months researching your relocation, there is simply no way that you will know more about moving safety then your movers. So, if you really want to avoid injuries when moving, listen to them. Their advice is, or at least should be, backed with years of experience. Therefore, if they tell you to do something in a certain way, trust them. If something is not clear, feel free to ask for an explanation. But, do not put yourself at a disadvantage by thinking you know best. Countless moving-related injuries could’ve been prevented if people simply put their pride aside.