By Vanessa Racine, social media coordinator
In Quebec, the countdown to the big moving day cavalcade has begun. Thousands of Quebecers have started to pack their boxes and are getting organized for the big
July 1st moving day.
Having been through a move recently myself believing I was prepared for any contingency, let me tell you that I wish I had read the Moving for Dummies guide first!
After a few (minor) injuries and several ups and downs, here are a few hard won bits of advice to help you prepare for your move.
Why do people get hurt during a move?
Over the course of a moving day, we lift things, we go down stairs, we go up stairs, we put things down… In short, we do a month’s worth of workouts; our body is not quite prepared for such a marathon and all of these actions increase the risk of injury. Furthermore, according to the
Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie, 40% of these injuries affect our lower back.
Carrying overly heavy loads, not applying good lifting technique or using inadequate equipment are often to blame. Other risks include cuts, scrapes and crushed hands. When it comes to moving, don’t forget that it always comes with its share of surprises. Prevention and preparedness will help you be ready for every contingency!
3 tips to prepare you for a move (I wish I had known in advance)
Preparedness plays a key role in the risk of injury and it should never be overlooked.
1. Pack with care!
When you start to pack your things, it is important to make sure your boxes aren’t too heavy. To do so, distribute the load evenly and mix heavy objects with light ones. For example, avoid filling boxes with only books, as I did. Otherwise, your back will scream for more than ice cream when you attempt to lift this rather heavy weight!
2. Plan wisely.
Before the big day, it’s important to identify anything that might complicate the move. Is there parking available? How close is it to the building? What kind of stairs will you have to navigate? Is there an elevator in the building, and will you be able to use it? What’s the weather forecast for that day?, etc. And above all, don’t forget to reconfirm the date with your mover a few days before. I thought I had everything planned, except for this little detail that made all the difference, as I waited in front of my house for an hour with no sign of the team. I have never felt so stranded in my life, believe me!
3. Choose the right equipment!
According to the
CNESST, you should always use properly adapted equipment when moving. For example, if you rent a truck for your move, make sure it has:
- a loading ramp to help you load and unload the contents
- a harness (recommended) to help lift heavy objects
- a cart, such as a dolly or a four-wheeled trolley (if you have a lot of heavy and bulky items)
Otherwise, trust a team that specializes in moving, which can save you a lot of headaches.
You now have all the tools you need to plan your move without too many twists and turns!
Read
Moving day: Tips to avoid injuries, where you will find tips to help you avoid injuries on the day itself.
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