Congratulations on your new home! Before you can enjoy it, you have to get there … with all of your stuff. The process of packing, unpacking, loading and unloading is overwhelming and, worse, can pose a risk to your health and safety if you’re not careful. Not to worry. We’ve compiled a list of moving safety tips that will help you and your family stay safe during your move.

5 Essential Moving Safety Tips

Whether you’re moving out of state, across town or around the corner, there are some things you need to do to prepare. First up, create a moving checklist. Then, make sure your moving day is a success by keeping these tips in mind.

1. Create a Moving Plan

What path do you plan to take to get items to and from the moving truck? Are there any obstacles that could make moving bulky items more challenging? How do you plan to load the truck? Will you load boxes first, or will your items be more secure if you load furniture first?

By thinking through the details of your move in advance, you can eliminate unnecessary lifting (like unloading and reloading the truck) so you can reduce the strain on your body and the risk of injury. Creating a plan also means everyone is on the same page, which means less confusion, fewer faux pas, better collaboration and safer outcomes.

2. Rest and Refuel

It’s a long road to moving day. You found a new place to live, you’re tying up the loose ends at your current residence, and you’ve had to organize, pack and purge your items in preparation of moving. In the midst of the chaos, it’s easy to try to keep pushing through. But if you’re not careful, you could be setting yourself up for an unproductive and unsafe moving day.

Make moving safety a priority by getting plenty of sleep the night before the move and by staying hydrated throughout the day. Plan for meals and snacks in advance so you have healthy, convenient items on hand, and to account for the time you need to rest and eat.

3. Be Box Smart

If you fill a large box with books, magazines, pots, pans and other weighty items, it’ll be hard to lift, carry and load. That means you’ll need more hands, more time and more effort to move one box. Plus, you increase the likelihood that the box will break, or that you’ll hurt yourself trying to lift it.

Instead, use large boxes for bulky, lightweight items like fluffy comforters, pillows or hangers. Reserve smaller boxes for dense, weighty items like books, magazines and DVDs to make moving these items easier.

4. Lift With Caution

Lifting something that’s too heavy is one surefire way to hurt yourself on moving day. Stay injury-free by using proper lifting techniques. And if something is too heavy for you to lift — and carry — ask for help before attempting to lift the box or item.

You can also make the lifting easier by having the proper moving tools on hand, like a furniture dolly, a hand truck, lifting straps, furniture sliders and a stair roller (if you need to move heavy items down flights of stairs).

5. Keep Kids Safe

On moving day, you’ll likely be using things like box cutters and hand trucks, which aren’t exactly kid-friendly. And you’ll be directing your attention to the task at hand: moving heavy, bulky items.

Before the big day, load a backpack with books and simple toys that can keep kids occupied in a designated safe area while items are being loaded and unloaded. If you’re moving with a baby or toddler, keep essentials like a pacifier, sippy cups, a blanket and a first aid kit handy so you don’t need to dig through boxes to find the items you need.

Stay Protected

Keep you and your family safe after the move with the right insurance coverage. Whether you’re renting or you own your new home, Farm Bureau offers protection to meet your needs. Contact your agent to learn more.

Want to learn more?

Contact a local FBFS agent or advisor for answers personalized to you.