Moving happens to everyone at some point. Whatever your reason for moving is, one thing you can be sure of is that it is bound to involve lots of heavy lifting - boxes, furniture, appliances, etc. All that heavy lifting can easily lead to an injury if you aren’t prepared. Here’s some advice from American Fargo’s Miami long-distance movers that can help reduce your risk of a moving day injury.

Prepare for Moving Day

Before moving day arrives, it’s important to physically prepare your body. This should begin with a good night’s sleep. Even mild sleep deprivation can lead to an increased risk of injury. 

You should also be sure to stay properly hydrated. This is particularly vital in warmer or humid climates such as Miami. Finally, make sure you get plenty to eat before and after moving day. Skipping meals on moving day can lead to dips in your blood sugar as your activity level increases which can cause you to become tired or even disoriented.

Stretch Before You Begin

Before beginning any physically demanding activities, it’s important to take a few minutes to stretch your muscles. Stretching helps increase blood flow to the muscles and prepares your body for an increase in your activity level. Remember that putting too much demand on “cold” muscles can easily lead to an injury, so it’s important not to skip this step.

Wear Proper Clothing

Wearing the right clothing on moving day is essential. Improper foot-ware or baggy clothing could cause an injury as you work with equipment or bulky furniture items. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes to protect your feet and flexible, comfortable clothing that isn’t baggy.

Lift Smart!

The most common type of moving injury comes from improperly lifting of heavy items. The good news is that most lifting injuries can be prevented by using safer lifting techniques. Be sure to review proper lifting procedures before bending and lifting anything heavy.

To correctly lift heavy objects:

  • Keep your feet spread to increase your base.
  • Stand close to the thing you are trying to lift.
  • Bend with your knees rather than at your waist.
  • Engage your core stomach muscles to assist you with lifting.
  • Lift objects slowly using your legs and hold the item close to you.
  • Don’t bend forward when you stand.
  • Squat as you put the object down, keeping your back straight.

Even with proper lifting techniques, injuries can still happen if you attempt to lift a box that is too heavy for you to handle. Packing less in more boxes can make each of your moving boxes lighter and easier to handle.

Many moving injuries can occur when lifting or maneuvering heavy furniture or appliances. Using the right equipment can prevent a potential injury and make the job much easier. Be sure you have access to a hand truck or dolly to lighten your load. Lifting straps can also be handy for preventing injuries.

Maintain a Safe Environment

Before you begin moving heavy boxes or large pieces of furniture, you should take a few minutes to make sure that your moving environment is safe to maneuver through. Even obvious obstacles might not be visible when you are focused on carrying a heavy load. Clear pathways, remove loose carpeting and check for water or moisture on the floor before you begin lifting bulky furniture pieces.

Let Our Miami Long-Distance Movers Help You with a Successful Move

Still worried about injuries? The easiest way to avoid an injury on moving day is to let the professionals handle the heavy lifting for you! Our residential movers in Miami are trained to safely move even the heaviest items without you lifting a finger. Whether you are moving across town or the country, we are a moving and storage company you can trust to handle your most valuable possessions. Call our professional team today or use our online form to schedule a consultation today.