Some seasons of the year are wetter than others. If rain is in the forecast on your moving day, you need to prepare for the worst so you can avoid accidents like slips, falls and damage to your belongings. Here are some tips for protecting your belongings from water and protecting yourself from potential injuries.
Cover Items With Tarps or Plastic Wrap
Most of your belongings will be packed into boxes and, thus, will be somewhat protected from the rain. However, some belongings, especially items of furniture, will be taken out of your home unprotected by boxes. Cover items with plastic wrap or tarps to prevent rain from doing damage. This preparation is particularly important when you’re moving large, unboxed electronics.
Make sure you have more than enough plastic wrap on hand for the move-out/move-in day. You might be surprised by how much you need, and you don’t want to be left without enough plastic to protect your belongings.
When you arrive at your destination, remove plastic wrap right away in case water has penetrated the wrap. This will give your furniture a chance to dry out.
Prevent Slips
Slips and falls can be a source of injury when the ground is wet, especially on certain types of pavement. To prevent slips and falls, lay down non-slip mats on walkways. If possible, tape down the mats before it begins to rain. This can help keep the mats in place and may prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard themselves.
Back the Truck up to the House
Get the rear end of the truck as close to the house as you can without doing damage to your lawn, pavement or underground septic tanks. Back the truck up to the house to reduce exposure to rain.
You might find it’s easier to drive the truck up to a side door of your house, so give thought to which part of the house makes the most sense to use as your point of entry and exit. Moving trucks can drive on gravel but are not off-road vehicles, so plan to stay on established roads.
Get Everything Ready to Go
Line up every box by the entryway of your house and in the front room connected to the entryway. This task improves efficiency and limits the time spent moving, which may mean that you and the people helping you will stay dryer and more comfortable.
Keep non-boxed items bundled together to limit some of the back and forth between the house and the truck. For example, use plastic to wrap up disassembled furniture pieces so the furniture can be removed from the house in one trip.
Protect Your Entryways
Rain does more than damage your boxes and furniture; it can also damage your floors when it’s dragged into and out of your house. Protect your entryways with tarps and towels. Use thick strips of painter’s tape to tape down the floor protection. Painter’s tape is not as strong as products like duct tape, but it’s less likely to do damage to certain types of flooring material because it is designed to be removed easily.
Stay Dry
Make sure you stay dry to help you stay nimble throughout the moving process. Wear a thin rain jacket. Have gloves on hand with rubber padding on the palms just in case your boxes become slippery. Try the gloves on beforehand to ensure they fit properly; gloves that are too large will constantly slip off your hands.
Work With Professionals
The best way to manage a move in the rain is to work with professionals. Professional movers will have the tools and experience necessary to ensure that your move goes smoothly without injury or damage to your belongings.
For more information about how you can protect yourself and your belongings during a move, contact Island Movers. We’ll be happy to answer questions about your upcoming relocation.
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