Moving from one home to another is never without challenges, but moving during the winter months can present some additional difficulties. Cold weather, snow and ice can make moving boxes and furniture and driving a moving truck more challenging. If you are faced with a winter moving date, there are steps you can take to make the moving process easier and safer for you and whoever is helping you.
Be prepared for any weather:
Winter weather can certainly be unpredictable, so you should keep an eye on the forecast so you are ready for the conditions. If your moving day is affected by inclement weather, you can plan to change your schedule or make accommodations to make the moving process easier.
Prepare as much as you can:
While having to do a lot of work on moving day is inevitable, you can at least making it easier on yourself by doing some preparation ahead of time. Make sure you have everything packed in an efficient way prior to moving day. You can do this by:
- not overloading any boxes so they are too heavy for you to carry;
- labeling what is in each box so you can put them in the correct area of your new space to make unpacking easier; and
- placing all your boxes near the entryway ahead of time, so you will have less carrying to do on moving day.
Move early in the day:
In the winter, it gets dark in the late afternoon, so be sure to get an early start on moving day and work when it’s light out; darkness adds additional risks and challenges.
Keep walkways clear:
You should make sure any paths and stairways to and from the home you are moving to and leaving are clear. Ice and snow are dangerous to walk on normally, but become even more dangerous when you are carrying heavy boxes. If it is wet outside, you should also take some precautions inside by laying out absorbent materials like carpet or cardboard inside the homes you are moving to and from so it doesn’t become dangerous if you are tracking in ice, snow or water.
Hire a professional:
If you are not confident you can make the move on your own, you should hire a professional moving company to do the job for you. Professional movers are trained to move the contents of your house quickly and with ease. Also, if you have never driven a moving truck before, it may prove difficult, especially if the roads are wet or icy. Hiring a professional will better ensure you and your possessions remain safe on moving day.
