Moving into a new home is exciting. It’s a fresh start in a new place, or a new home in your current neighborhood. What’s not exciting is the idea of moving during the summer, when temperatures can soar to the low 90s or 100s. This heat is usually unavoidable when it comes to a summer move. However, there are a few things you can do to make the day bearable and a little cooler. Follow these 10 tips to beat the heat and be prepared for your summer move.
10 Tips for a Summer Move: Beat the Heat and Be Prepared
Plan Ahead
Summers are the busiest time of year for moving companies. Schools are on break, so it’s easier for college students, graduates, and families with children to move during this time. If you plan to hire a moving company in the summertime, schedule your move at least one month in advance to guarantee your moving date. You might luck out and be able to schedule your move a week beforehand, but it’s really not worth the risk if you can avoid it.
Schedule a Morning Move
Summer mornings are cooler than the afternoons and evenings, so it’s best to schedule a morning move. You’ll get the hardest part of the move—the load—out of the way, so you and your movers can breeze through the unload during the hotter, unavoidable afternoon heat.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water on not overwhelmingly hot days is important, but even more so on 90+ degree days. Keep plenty of water bottles on hand for both you and your movers. Most professional movers will bring their own bottles of water, but any extra water you can offer will be very appreciated.
Wear Appropriate Clothing
Whether you’re utilizing a moving service for part of your move or the entirety, wear appropriate clothing. Loose fitting, breathable cotton shorts, t-shirts and close toed sneakers are your best options. Even if you don’t anticipate doing any heavy lifting, you might want to start unpacking the kitchen or move a few things around within rooms while the movers unload the rest of your belongings. Don’t hinder yourself from the start by wearing tight clothing that’s difficult to maneuver in.
Turn on the Air Conditioning in Your New Home
As soon as you have access to your new home, make sure the air conditioning works. The day before or the morning of your move, go over—or send someone in your stead—to turn on your air conditioning. Not only will your movers be thankful for the short breaks from the unbearable heat, but you will thank you for making this choice.
Keep Electronics Cool
When it comes to electronics, you might want to choose to move them yourself. They can become overheated and ruined when stored in a hot environment, even for just a few hours. Be sure to transport them in a vehicle with air conditioning to keep them cool. If you have a large TV you don’t feel comfortable picking up but have room in your vehicle to transport it, ask your movers to load it into your car for you. A professional company should have no problem loading and unloading your television to and from your personal vehicle. If your electronics do need to go on the truck, they should be the last items loaded and the first items unloaded.
Utilize Portable Fans
If you have a portable fan, use it during loading and unloading, even if your air conditioning is on. Set it up off to the side in a high traffic area where you and your movers will pass through, like the garage or entrance to your home. The breeze will help keep everyone a bit cooler during a hot summer day.
Pack Perishable Food in Coolers
Even if you’re only moving fifteen minutes away, pack your perishable items in coolers with ice packs or ice. Sitting in the heat for any amount of time can render milk, eggs, or meat inedible. And even if you plan to unload everything into the fridge as soon as you get to your new home, you never know if a situation will pop up that you need to attend to immediately. Stay on the safe side and avoid food waste by picking up a bag of ice the day before your move and packing your perishables into a cooler.
Apply Sunscreen
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen. The last thing you want after a long day of moving is to deal with sore muscles and sunburn. Choose a water resistant sunscreen with a high SPF, applying at least 30 minutes before you’ll be outside and reapplying as directed on the bottle.
Be Aware of Overheating Symptoms and Don’t be Afraid to Take Breaks
The most important of these tips for a summer move is this: Know the symptoms of overheating before moving day so you can spot the issues and take a break. According to WebMD, symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Nausea
-Muscle Aches and Cramps
-Excessive Thirst
-Weakness
-Dizziness
-Anxiety
-Confusion
-Excessive SweatingIf you or anyone else experiences these symptoms, stop moving. Take a break in an air conditioned environment. Drink plenty of water and lie down. When possible, take a cool shower to pull excess heat out of the body.
Heat exhaustion is avoidable as long as you stay hydrated, stay in the shade and cooler air when possible, and take breaks when you need to.
Now that you’re prepared with 10 tips for your summer move, it’s time to find movers. You need a team of experienced movers prepared for the excessive heat so you can move into your new home quickly and enjoy that sweet, sweet air conditioning. We at Moving U & Junk U believe we’re the movers for you. We provide packing, moving, and junk removal services. Whatever you need help with, we’ll tailor our services to meet your needs. Looking for us to pack up the kitchen and only move the bulky items to your new home? We can do that. Are you interested in a hands off, full service packing and move with some junk removal? We can do that too. Our professionally trained, friendly movers are here to make your life easier on moving day.
To get your free estimate for packing, moving, or junk removal, give us a call or text at 484-301-2442 or email us at info@movingujunku.com.
