Moving can be hazardous, and if it's your move that's being taken care of you need to be aware of what is going on around you, not only for your safety, but the safety of those involved in your move as well. Here's how to help keep others safe during the moving process.
Your children  There's nothing that makes a move more complicated than the addition of children whose safety is in your hands, but if you remain cautious and vigilant they shouldn't prove to be too much of a problem.
- Keep them entertained with their preferred toys
- Have them stay out of the way of movers, especially when large or heavy items are being moved
- Hire a babysitter or relegate a loved one to watch your children during the move
- Keep them in a room far away from everything
- Have drinks and snacks on hand for when hunger and thirst strike
Your pets As with children, pets must be kept away from the hustle and bustle of the moving process in a safe and secure area surrounded by familiar stimuli like their favourite toys and treats.
During a move with pets, minimizing their stress levels is the best thing for their well being.
TIP: Keep your pets sequestered in a room away from your move and place a sign on the door instructing all movers and loved ones to keep the room shut for your animal's protection and to ensure they do not run away due to confusion. Your movers If you hire movers, they will already be versed in moving safety. Family and friends, on the other hand, are a different story and steps need to be taken to see that they are following proper safety procedures with your help and guidance.
- Have dollies ready for use (with straps) for moving heavy or large items
- Purchase extra pairs of gloves to prevent blisters and to help add extra grip when moving trickier belongings
- Make sure everyone is properly attired in appropriate moving clothing
- This includes proper footwear and seasonal-specific items
- Check to see that everyone is lifting heavy boxes and objects properly (to prevent injury)
- Assign everyone their own tasks so no one is getting in another person's way during the move
- See that everyone is hydrated and fed during the move to prevent exhaustion
- You can easily achieve this by setting aside a snack area in your home with food and water
Your new neighbours Since you are new to the area, you want to make a good first impression with your future neighbours. Be respectful of those around you who already live there, both when driving to your new home (road safety first!) and when moving yourself in.
- Watch out for neighbours, taking extra caution around children and pets, especially during the drive to your new location
- Say hello to anyone you may see during the moving process
- Move out of the way if you are blocking a communal area such as a sidewalk, hallway or stairwell
- Politely apologize for the inconvenience your move may have caused the community
Be prepared If your attempts to keep others safe do not pan out, you should always have a back up plan, which in this case is a moving-specific first aid kit that you need to prepare ahead of time.
Fill said kit with:
- Alcohol wipes for disinfecting
- Anti-bacterial spray to clean wounds
- Anti-bacterial ointment to heal and prevent infection
- Bandages of different sizes
- Gauze to deal with larger injuries
- Medical scissors and medical tape just in case
- Re-usable bandages for various body pains
- Tweezers and safety pins/needles to handle splinters and ticks
- Anti-bacterial hand soap if you plan to eat
- Over the counter medication for headaches, stomach aches, colds, allergies, etc.
Of course, you cannot completely control other people and if an accident does occur due to a lack of safety, remember, you did all you could to protect those around you. |