You take measures to keep your belongings safe from harm when moving, but what about yourself? If you’re moving on your own, then you’ll want to go like a pro to keep yourself protected from injury, illness, or exhaustion.

Below are some useful—and important—moving safety tips offered by local residential movers in Alaska. With these in mind, you can enjoy a better experience before, during, and after your relocation.

Safety Tips Before Your Move Begins

A safe relocation starts before your move begins and the steps you can take are easy. Here’s how you can enjoy a better relocation with a little pre-move preparation:

  • Get a Good Night’s Sleep. Moving requires a lot of energy, so make sure you get a full night of sleep before the day of your move.
  • Eat Well the Day Before. Another way to keep your energy up is to eat a well-balanced diet the day before, including plenty of protein and complex carbs. You probably don’t want to skip breakfast on the day of your move, either.
  • Dress Appropriately. Choose clothing that is easy to move around in when moving but not overly bulky or easily snagged. Wear closed shoes and keep the weather conditions in mind.
  • Stretch Your Muscles. A quick stretch and warmup before you start moving can help prevent muscle strain and injury.

Safety Tips During Your Move

Now that it’s time to start moving, here are some important things to do throughout to help keep yourself safe:

  • Stay Hydrated. It’s easy to get dehydrated when moving, especially during summer months. Keep water or sports drinks on hand and take breaks to rehydrate.
  • Remove Obstacles. Keep a clean, clear path to your moving truck or van. Look for anything that can cause you to trip and fall, like furniture or loose flooring. Have a broom or mop handy for clearing you path of water, leaves, and other debris.
  • Do not over-fill boxes. It’s better to make frequent trips with lighter loads than to injure yourself with a box that is too heavy. Over-filled boxes can also break, which can injure yourself and damage your belongings. Use a hand dolly for heavy or oversized items.
  • Use Proper Lifting Techniques. Lifting heavy or repetitive loads can take its toll on your back and can even lead to serious injury. Proper lifting techniques can do a lot for preventing injury. These are standard practice for professional movers, and you should do the same:
    • Stand as close to the load you are lifting as possible.
    • Bend at your hips and knees to lower yourself down to the load. Do NOT bend your back.
    • While lifting, tighten your stomach muscles to offer some extra spinal support.
    • Use your legs and hips to bear the weight of the load instead of your upper body and back.
    • If you need to change directions with the load in hand, pivot your feet carefully. Do NOT twist your back.
    • When setting the load down, bend at the knee and use your legs to hold the weight while keeping your back in an upright position.

Safety Tips After Your Move

This one’s simple. Rest. Once your move is done, you might be tempted to overwork yourself getting settled in. Take a day to recover from the move by getting enough sleep and eating well. Then you can start making your new house a home!

Do You Want Help from Residential Movers in Alaska?

Sometimes it’s better to hire professionals. If you could use help from trusted Alaska long-distance movers, contact us at Allied Alaska. We offer comprehensive moving services including pre-move planning, professional packing, custom crating, delivery, storage, and more. Contact us to learn more or to get a free, no-obligation moving cost estimate.