Moving can be chaotic and very expensive, and if you’re not careful it can turn into a painful experience. Even though you can save a few bucks by lifting and moving the boxes by yourself, you may risk suffering from moving injuries if you don’t know what you’re doing. Of course, that’s not to say that a careful and in-shape person can’t move their possessions. Still, it helps to know what you’re doing when it comes to heavy lifting. Continue reading to find out what are the most common moving injuries and how to avoid them.
You can protect yourself from moving injuries by following these simple tips:
Make sure to know how to lift boxes properly.
Back injuries – Your back is one of the most important parts of your body. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Lift with your legs, not with your back. Too much bending at the waist can place a tremendous amount of strain on your back muscles. Most importantly, use common sense. If you know it is too heavy for you to lift, do not attempt to do so. You should ask for help.
Knee injury – Along with your back, your knees are very important to the overall function and health of your body. You can make a proper heavy lifting possible with the right use of your knees. Also, using a sliding device can allow you to move heavier objects across the floor without causing damage.
Broken hands, fingers, or toes – are very common experience during the moving process. People often drop heavy objects on these parts of the body, which can cause long-term pain and overall inconvenience. Thick gloves and closed toe shoes are a must-have on moving days. Make sure there is a clear walking path on the day of your move so that you can avoid tripping over items while transporting heavy objects. Also, remember to always communicate with other people around you.
Cuts and scrapes – it’s amazing how many sharp objects and rough edges there are in a home. There’s a good chance you’ll come across a few while you’re packing up and moving. To avoid them you could wear the right clothing on a moving day. Try to keep as much of your skin covered as possible. Jeans are a great option for the lower half since the material is rugged. Also wear gloves as much as possible, especially when you’re handling glass or mirrors.
Be careful!
Make sure you have the appropriate equipment. Safety gloves will protect your skin and keep items from slipping out of your grasp. Whenever possible, use a hand truck or dolly to transport boxes and furniture, especially if items are on the floor and require a low body bend. Too much lifting or bending over, even if done correctly, can stress your back or knees. Use moving tools like furniture glides, forklift straps, stair rollers, and flat dollies to make large furniture and bulky items easier to move.
Ideally, pick up boxes that are at least at your waist level. It’s not always possible, but stacking as many boxes as possible on folding tables, for instance, instead of the floor, is a great start. Take care of yourself throughout the day. Stay hydrated, take meal, snack and rest breaks, and pay attention to your body’s physical cues. Stretch throughout the day and at the end of the move to keep your muscles warm.
Keep your back straight and bend at the knees. Lift with your legs in a steady motion. Walk slowly and carefully, holding the item close to your center of gravity. Do not attempt to carry more than one item at a time. Don’t lift items that are too heavy for you to comfortably manage. Leave those for a fellow mover who can handle the weight, or lift with a partner.
Try not to lift heavy boxes
Hiring a team of movers is also worth considering if you can afford to do so. Many companies have cost-effective options that allow their employees to do much of the heavy lifting for you. If you can’t afford them feel free to ask them for advice. Just like they can offer you packing and unpacking services in NYC, they can give you tips that will help you how to avoid moving injuries during your relocation time.
There are many ins and outs that you will encounter while moving house. Many details have to be taken into consideration during this important time. Due to the amount of preparation that must go into the relocation process, people often feel like there is just not enough time in the day to get things accomplished. The thought of feeling rushed can often lead to becoming stressed or frustrated designer fashion consignments. When this happens, many people will often make an attempt to speed up the moving process. Therefore, causing them to forget to take the proper precautions while moving. Doing so tends to result in unnecessary injuries. And, yes moving injuries are more common than you might think.
