Relocating My Family

Common Moving Injuries And How To Prevent Them

30 August 2016 by Alberto Williams

Moving is a chore that many people dread because it is so stressful and hard on the body. Using a little bit of caution when lifting heavy items might save you from an emergency room visit. Taking frequent breaks and staying hydrated are at the top of the list for preventative maintenance. Here are some of the most common causes of injury and how to avoid them.

Back Injuries and Muscle Strain

Back injuries are the most common injury to receive when you are moving. Muscle strain can also come on suddenly causing a limited range of movement. In both cases, lifting items incorrectly could be the culprit.

Injuries to Feet and Hands

Your feet and hands receive injuries various ways. If you don't have the right type of gloves when moving heavy or awkward pieces of furniture or boxes, you could drop them. You should also use sturdy tape on the boxes such as shipping tape, duct tape, or filament tape to prevent the box bottom from collapsing.

How to Prevent Injuries

Here are a few simple ways to eliminate injuries while you are moving:

Properly Packed Boxes

It is important not to put too many heavy items in a box. If you are packing books, you should use a book box sized 1.5 cubic feet. You can use other sizes but if you have limited moving or storage space, keeping them the same size saves room.  It is advisable to pack no more than 51  pounds in any box since that is the average weight one person can safely lift.

Properly Lift Boxes

To avoid back injury, you need to follow some basic rules and place your feet approximately a shoulder-width apart. Bend at the knees and hips in a semi-squat position. Slowly, straighten your knees and hips while keeping your back straight. When you sit it down simply, reverse the process. Don't use your back.

Use the Right Equipment Aids

Lifting heavy objects can place a strain on your entire body. A furniture dolly with four wheels or a utility dolly with two wheels could help move the heaviest items. If you have stairs, a stair roller could be used to safely move items down the stairwells or steps.

Dress Appropriately

Accidents can happen no matter how safe you have been. To avoid injuries to your feet, wearing hard-toed shoes is a plus in case you stump your toe or a box is dropped on your foot. Dress according to the weather to prevent getting too hot or cold during the process.

By following these suggestions, your move should be a safer process because you know some of the ways to avoid injury. If you don't believe you are up to the task, it might be time to call a team of professional movers.

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