Protect Yourself from Injury When You Move
Moving is hard work, especially if you make the popular decision to move yourself instead of hiring a mover. You can certainly save a lot of money by electing to not hire a professional moving company, but you can’t put a price on the risk of injuries you might receive by handling the heavy boxes and awkward furniture yourself.
Professional movers know how to move their bodies so they do not get hurt when lifting heavy objects. They move these items all the time and have the right tools to make moving them easier. You might not be equipped with these tools and therefore could be putting yourself at an increased risk of injuring yourself. Fortunately, you can protect your body during your move by purchasing a few essentials that will make the job less taxing.
Brace Yourself
To begin with, get everyone who is helping you move a back brace. These can cost anywhere from about $20 to upwards of $200. If you have experienced back pain before, you should consider purchasing one of the higher-end models that will give you more support and protection. These braces help keep your back in a supported position when you are bending and twisting, which will help prevent injury to the muscles.
Stretch your Resources
Before lifting anything, stretch out and warm up your muscles. Do a few jumping jacks, run in place, or jog around the block. Stretch your back, hamstrings, calves, shoulders and knees so they are already primed for the strenuous work ahead. This will also make you less sore the next day after you get done with your move.
Bring Your Dolly
Dollies are the one essential tool that you cannot be without during a move. You can either purchase one or rent one, but you must have a dolly if you have any large household items that you need to load onto the truck. When you put a large item on the dolly, remember to tie it down with bungee cords or straps so it does not fall off as you roll it down your walkway. Moving blankets are a decent investment as well because not only will they keep your items from becoming damaged or scratched, but you will be able to use them again and again because they are extremely durable.
Dress for Success
On moving day, wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather. If it’s cold, dress in layers because you will warm up pretty quickly. Your clothes should not be too loose so you won’t catch them on items as you move. Do not wear jewelry that could also get caught and break. Your footwear should be closed-toed because you will be walking while carrying items and you might not be able to see what you are stepping on.
In addition to the above tips, keep a small first aid kit nearby and enough snacks and water to get you and your helpers through the day. Even with the advised purchases, you can still save money when moving yourself. Just be sure to stay safe while you do.
About the Author –
John is a shrewd consumer who writes about personal finance, finding deals, and local consumer home services like: mover Baltimore and mover San Francisco.
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