Despite the climbing temperatures, a summertime move is far preferable to a winter move, in which you’d have to deal with snow, sleet, frostbite and dangerous driving conditions. That’s not to say that the summer heat does not have its run-ins with unsafe conditions. On the contrary, heat exhaustion can quickly turn into a severe medical emergency. Don’t end up in the hospital on a day when you already have so much else on your plate, and make adequate preparations to beat the heat with these moving tips.
1) Work with Professional Movers
Moving is an incredibly stressful life situation, and the hot summer is likely to be the least of your concerns at such a time. When you work with professional residential movers to perform the bulk of the heavy lifting and transportation, your hands and mental space will be clear to tackle the countless other tasks of the moving process. Plus, these pros already know the ins and outs of moving during summer heat and will be prepared to run the operation safely. If you can afford it, the cost of hiring help is worth it since you save yourself the headache and the literal sweat.
2) Crank the Air Conditioning
The most obvious way to keep yourself and your helpers safe from the heat is to crank that AC wherever it is available: your personal vehicle, the moving truck, the house or apartment, etc. However, you may not realize that some places don’t come with AC guaranteed. If you’re using a storage unit, make sure to reserve one with climate control. Not only will this relieve you and your crew, but it will also keep your possessions from melting in long-term heat or frozen temperatures. In addition, you can place portable fans in areas where air conditioning is not available and carry a handheld personal fan wherever you go.
3) Organize Belongings for Heat Tolerance
Some items will not do well in heat for an extended time, and most moving trucks do not provide AC in the storage bed. If you are moving just around the corner, you might be able to get away with packing most of your possessions in the back of the hot truck. However, those preparing for a long-distance move should especially take care to separate their belongings according to their heat tolerance. Items that won’t survive the heat include electronic equipment, food, vinyl records, plants and pets. All of these things will need to be transported in a separate air-conditioned vehicle, where they can be the top priority upon unloading.
4) Timing
If you can choose your moving date, it’s generally better to opt for the earlier or later part of the summer when temperatures won’t be quite so extreme. On the other hand, make sure you understand the climates of your current and destination regions. In certain parts of the country, those certain times in the season may be prone to other extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, monsoons, and thunderstorms.
If you have little flexibility with your moving date, you can at least plan what time of day you will get to work. Perform the bulk of the move in the early morning and evening, the coolest times of day. Plan to take a long lunch break during peak temperatures in the afternoon.
5) Start Packing Early
When it comes to moving, procrastination will only cause you much more serious problems. Start packing as soon as possible, whether earlier that week or that month. Anything you can pack, transport or store before the moving date should be handled accordingly as soon as possible. Consume or throw out anything else that isn’t absolutely needed. Fewer things to pack on your moving day means less time spent lifting boxes in the sweltering heat.
6) Wear Sunblock
Since you’ll be running in and out of direct sunlight all day long, it’s a bright idea to wear sunblock. Not only will it protect you from painful sunburns and skin damage, but it can also help prevent heat exhaustion.
7) Stay Hydrated
Water is life! Drinking plenty of water is perhaps the number one most important thing you can do to combat the summer heat waves. Make sure you are consistently taking breaks throughout the day to drink water with electrolytes, as opposed to dehydrating drinks like soda, caffeine and alcohol. If you are expecting others to help with your move, provide access to plenty of water for the crew, too. You can offer them to help themselves to tap water, buy bottles or large jugs of water, or fill up a cooler of ice and water. Keep some healthy snacks on hand as well. Oranges and watermelon are excellent sources of hydration and electrolytes, while nuts and bananas offer protein, salt, potassium and sugar.
8) Wear Heat-Resistant Clothing
As you pack away your wardrobe, remember to set aside a particular outfit for your moving day. Light-colored clothing will reflect heat, while loose-fitting attire will allow aeration around your skin. Athletic wear is always a good choice since it enables you to move around easily and comfortably while allowing moisture to evaporate. Additionally, wear close-toed shoes that provide plenty of arch support and protect your feet from falling items and furniture.
9) Take Advantage of Shade
During the hottest days of the summer, shade is your best friend. Keep an eye out for any shady areas to park your car and moving truck. Take advantage of your shady garage if you have one. Take note of how the buildings cast shadows at different times of day, and then plan to work during those shadier hours.
10) Recognizing Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion shows up in a myriad of ways, such as headache, fatigue, dizziness, thirst, and weakness. Left untreated, it can progress to heatstroke, which causes severe overheating, fainting, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, quickened heart rate, cramps, heavy sweating and more. If anyone on your crew experiences any of these symptoms, make them stop working immediately and go sit down in the nearest air-conditioned area in front of a fan. They need to drink more water, take off any excessive clothing, and get sprayed with cool water. A cold, damp towel will quickly cool the body down when placed on the forehead, neck, armpits and wrists. If the symptoms persist, call for medical help.
A Successful Summer Move
However trivial they may seem, these tips can make a world of difference, especially the more of them you can implement. In fact, it can mean the difference between a trip to the hospital and a thankfully uneventful move! Even though the summertime heat isn’t ideal for strenuous activity and stressful logistics, it doesn’t need to hinder your move’s safety or success.
