Tips For Conducting A DIY House Move Without Getting Injured

Moving house is most commonly known as one of the most stressful things a person can undertake. It’s an arduous process, one that must be done properly if you want everything to go smoothly. Many dangers are involved, especially when you are not adequately trained or equipped to do all the heavy lifting.

This article will help you carry out your DIY house move safely. We’ll be looking at ways to prevent injuries while moving heavy objects and other belongings, as well as highlighting some things that should be common sense but are often forgotten about or obvious but still likely to cause an accident if they’re not mentioned.

Need some tips to make moving fun? Check this out.

Most Common Moving Injuries

Before anything else, we’ll go through some of the most common injuries you could sustain with a DIY house move:

Back Injuries

Moving heavy objects is hard work, especially if you’re doing it alone and without proper equipment to help you out with the job. If you’re not very strong or didn’t get any training in moving heavy things beforehand, then there’s a good chance you’ll strain your back while moving items, or even worse, cause a serious injury to it.

If you move too fast while carrying things, this increases the chances of hurting your back. Moving carefully and steadily is the way to go when moving heavy objects. If you have to move faster because time is pressing, get someone else to help you or go back for more equipment (such as a trolley) to make moving objects more efficient.

Lifting injuries are common simply because most people don’t have the strength in their arms, legs and back to carry heavy items without hurting themselves. You should equip yourself with proper lifting aids before doing any lifting. They will make the job so much easier and keep you safe from harm.

Sprains &  Muscle Strains

Moving items can be difficult even if you have lots of people available to help you out with the task. There are many opportunities for spraining or straining a muscle during a house move, especially if people rush about too quickly or don’t take the necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Getting Caught In or Under Objects

Moving heavy items alone is hard enough, but if you’re simultaneously worrying about not hurting yourself, then it’s easy not to pay attention and suddenly find that your leg has been caught under a sofa someone was moving. It’s also easy to knock over a table or trip up whilst moving items around. So, be careful where you put your feet, what you’re holding onto and how much room there is to move about in.

Head Injuries

Again, not paying attention to where you are putting your feet is a common cause of hitting your head on something above it during a house move. Make sure you check the ceiling height of every room before walking under it to be on the safe side.  

Knee Injuries

Knee injuries can occur from slipping on a floor or carpet that has been covered in packing materials. Tripping over while carrying items is another common cause of knee injuries, as well as catching your leg on something sharp whilst moving objects out of the way.

Smashed Fingers

This occurs from people twisting their fingers back while rushing to pick up items off the floor without checking to see if there’s anything under them. It’s also easy to drop something on your hand or hit it against a wall or piece of furniture that you didn’t realise was there.

Wrist Injuries

These come from people throwing out heavy items without checking to see if their arms are behind them when they let go of it. A common mistake people make is throwing out heavy items by the tips of their fingers rather than over their shoulders, which can result in wrist injuries or even more severe damage.

Hernias

Any heavy lifting you do while moving items around is likely to increase the pressure on your hernia, which can cause it to rupture. This can be very dangerous and painful, so you should seek medical treatment before doing any more strenuous activity if you have a hernia.

How To Avoid Injuries During The House Moving Process

Here are a few tips for moving house without the risk of injury:

Have A Moving Plan In Place And Make Sure To Follow It

To complete your DIY move without getting injured, you’ll need to have a plan. This must be more than “get everything out of the old place and into the new one,” as is often the case with moving house. You need to know what’s going where and which room it will go in.

It is also essential to know how heavy everything is and what items may need two people to move them.

Use Proper Lifting Techniques When Moving Heavier Items

If you want to lift or carry something large, such as a piece of furniture, it’s easy for the strain on your back muscles and neck muscles to become too much. You’ll be putting a lot of pressure on these muscles while you lift, and this may cause personal injuries such as hernias. If possible, always try to figure out how to get the item lifted and carried in more than one way.

You may need to use equipment like a furniture mover or winch, particularly heavy or bulky. This is why it’s so important to figure out how heavy everything is, as well as work out the best way to get each item moved.

Make Sure You Wear The Right Clothing And Footwear

You should always wear appropriate clothing during a DIY house move. To begin with, this means comfortable garments that won’t cause you any discomfort or get in the way. You will be doing a lot of walking and some kneeling, so it’s essential to be able to move easily.

When you’re moving items from your old house to your new one, try not to wear anything that has laces or complicated fastenings where they could get caught on something and cause an injury such as a torn ligament.

You’ll also need to wear your right footwear, as you could easily injure your feet if you go about the move in unsuitable shoes or slippers. It’s a good idea to have some sturdy gardening boots specifically for a DIY house move.

Protect Yourself And Others From Injuries With The Right Tools

You should carry out your DIY house move with the right tools. These tools should be suitable for the job and not too heavy to carry around. By having these handy, you’ll make the job a whole lot easier and will be less likely to put yourself at risk of injury while you’re moving house. Some tools you will want to have on hand are:

• Ladder: Using a ladder to move items through windows and onto roofs is easier than trying to carry them with you.
• A wooden plank, such as those used as ramps for wheelbarrows or cars: These will help you move larger and heavier objects more easily, such as furniture that has been stored in the loft. If there’s an uneven surface, like gravel, you’ll need the plank to make sure the item moves smoothly.
• A rope or webbing sling: You can use these for lifting large objects onto roofs, out of windows and up stairs. They’re also suitable for tying things down securely in transit if they’re not too big.
• Protective gloves: You’ll need tough gloves for DIY house moving if you’re going to be handling things like pieces of wood or metal that may have sharp edges, or if items are particularly heavy and you want to avoid injuring yourself by holding them for a long time.

Always Have A First Aid Kit Handy

It’s always a good idea to have a first aid kit close by when you’re moving house. This means that if somebody does get injured, then they can be treated straight away. You may also want to consider training in certain aspects of first aid, such as CPR and the recovery position.

Make sure you take extra precautions against injuries like strains and sprains by ensuring you follow the tips above. This can help ensure that you carry out a DIY house move without getting yourself injured.

In addition, if you suffer from hay fever or dust allergies, then it’s a good idea to have some medication with you in case your symptoms start acting up.

Stay Hydrated And Fed

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment of moving house, but you should always make sure to eat and drink. If you don’t, your body will go into fight or flight mode, making it harder for you to carry out any strenuous tasks.

Have some water on hand throughout the move, especially if you’re in a hot or humid environment. Some snacks work well, too, such as energy bars which can give you the nutrients and sugars you need to stay focused on the job at hand.

The Right Attitude

It’s essential to have the right attitude to conduct a house move without getting injured. You should remain calm at all times and be aware of your boundaries. In addition, make sure you don’t try to lift anything that is too heavy for you. This can be disastrous and lead to an injury, especially if the item slips through your hands.

Always Take Preexisting Medical Conditions Into Consideration

If you suffer from any preexisting medical conditions, then you must let your doctor know before your DIY house move. This will ensure that they’re aware of what’s going on and may mean you need to carry out some extra preparation if they’re particularly severe.

You will also want to make sure that you are fit and healthy enough for the task at hand. If you haven’t been exercising much recently, ask your doctor if there are any exercises you can do to make sure your body is ready for the big day.

It’s also a good idea to get in touch with your doctor before you start moving house just to be on the safe side. They may recommend taking some medication that can help reduce your chances of getting injured and ensure that you conduct a DIY house move without getting hurt.

Don’t Hesitate To Get Help

If you’re struggling with an item or find that it’s too heavy for your level of fitness, then don’t hesitate to ask someone else for help. This is especially relevant if you have a bad back and need to lift items without injuring yourself.

Alternatively, hire professional movers or a man and van that specialises in household removals. Such service providers are used to moving house and will be able to safely take care of anything you can’t manage. After all, they have the training and proper moving equipment.

You won’t even have to worry about how much this costs, as these companies often charge you based on factors surrounding your move. All you need to do is let them know the moving date and what items you want to be moved, and they will take care of the rest.

Conclusion

The right equipment, attitude and physical fitness levels can help you move house without getting injured. However, it may not always be possible to avoid pain and discomfort completely. If you do get injured, seek medical attention for an injury assessment. This will determine the extent of the damage and help to provide a suitable treatment plan for your recovery period. In the meantime, try to stay safe by following the tips above.