Ways To Prevent Injuries During A Move

Moving into a new home signifies the start of a new, beautiful, and exciting journey for most people. This is a time filled with anticipation of new possibilities. A new house could mean the achievement of a milestone or the fulfillment of a dream. It might seem like the promise of a better future.

The actual process of moving or assisting someone in relocating could potentially become stressful and overwhelming. The moving day can easily snowball into a day of chaos. Everyone involved would want the relocation process to be smooth and easy.

Moving days come with the possibility of injuries. No one wants the memories of the beginning of a new journey tainted with unpleasant thoughts of pain or blood. A well-thought-out moving strategy and preparation prior to moving day can reduce the risk of injuries considerably.

Awareness of the Types of Injuries Possible During a Move

One might not have given much thought to the kind of injuries possible during a move. Awareness of the types of injuries can also help in taking appropriate measures to prevent them. Here is a list of the most common types of injuries suffered during a move:

Broken fingers/toes or fractures
Cuts and scrapes
Back injuries
Sprained ankle
Shoulder or neck injuries
Knee injuries
Muscle tears/cramps/contusions/strains
Hernias

All of these are scary and unpleasant, and must be avoided at all costs. The good part is that you can avoid these with smart preparation and careful execution.

Preventing Injuries

Prevention is always better than cure. Now that you are aware of the type of injuries that you are trying to prevent, take a look at the ways in which you can do so.

Preparing the Body for Heavy Lifting

Packing and moving place heavy demands on your body. To avoid hurting yourself when moving heavy objects, try to maintain your fitness at an optimum level. Tone your body and try to increase stamina and muscle strength. Here are a few tips that you can follow to prepare your body:

Boost the endurance, coordination, mobility and flexibility of your body with bodyweight workouts
Build your body with proper nutrition. Include lean proteins with every meal. Consume sufficient calories so that your body does not suffer from energy deficit.
Drink sufficient water every day. Water plays an important part in muscle gain. Proper hydration has an anabolic effect and promotes muscle growth.

Packing Wisely

You can avoid accidents and injuries with suitable packing. Keep in mind the following tips while packing for a safe move:

Use a uniform size of boxes as much as possible for ease and stability during stacking. Avoid packing too much into one box, so that each box becomes easier to lift. In this way you also avoid the risk of a box bursting open due to overload.
Labels and list of contents can tell you how to safely handle the boxes.
Make use of mirror/picture kits that are specifically designed for packing those items. These afford protection and can help you dodge injuries like cuts or scrapes from broken or cracked glass. You can make use of bubble wrap to protect other fragile items that could break and cause injuries.
Utilize good quality boxes and heavy duty tape. Ensure that the boxes are sealed well at the bottom.

Prepping the Surrounding

Make sure that the path that you will be using is free of obstacles.Check the outdoor area as well for any protruding branches or shrubs that might get in the way. You can trim those beforehand. Ensure that there are no water puddles, ice, or snow in the pathway because these can cause someone to slip and fall.
Certain items like scissors, utility knives and screwdrivers, although quite handy at the time of a move, can be hazardous if present in the wrong place at the wrong time. For maximum safety, mark a clear and separate packing section. Keep such tools in this section.
Attach slider pads to the bottom parts of appliances and furniture. The job of pushing or pulling them will become easier.
It would be best if someone can take care of pets and children at another place during the move.

Getting Ready On Moving Day

You have prepared the surroundings and your body beforehand. Now you just need to get ready carefully on moving day.

Wear clothing that covers maximum skin.
Knee pads and braces can offer some protection to your knees.
Thick gloves can protect your hands from scrapes and cuts.
Make sure you wear sturdy shoes. The shoes must offer good ankle support and proper grip. Closed-toe shoes are your safest bet.

During the Move

During the actual moving process, you can avoid injuries by paying attention to the following tips:

Cold muscles are more susceptible to injuries. Warm up with five to ten minutes of aerobic activity before starting the heavy lifting.
Lift heavy objects with proper attention to technique. Remember to bend your knees. Avoid twisting or bending your back. Keep the load balanced and close to your body. Ensure that the path ahead is visible to you. Before carrying something and moving, make sure you are able to lift it well. If not, ask someone for a helping hand. Lift and move with deliberate motions and avoid rushing.
Use moving equipment like dollies and hand trucks wherever you can rather than doing it all manually. This practice minimizes the strain on your body.
Utilize padding supplies and moving blankets for safety during transit. The things that move and break during transit can become a hazard when you try to place them once at the destination.
Remember to stay hydrated, take breaks from time to time and do some light stretching in between.

Planning ahead and organized efforts will prove useful to you in the process of moving a house; you will be able to complete the move-related tasks with minimum hassle and no injuries.

This article was contributed by BarBend.

About BarBend

Your resource for all things strength, with articles and videos on training, nutrition, and news in CrossFit®, weightlifting, powerlifting, and beyond!