Winter is Coming: Tips on Moving During the Winter

The last thing anyone wants to do during the winter is move! If anything, our bodies want to settle down and hibernate for the winter. Unfortunately, the modern world doesn't allow us time to take it easy, and sometime we find ourselves changing residences during the winter.

Important- If at all possible, we encourage you to keep an eye on the weather before a move. The weather can be unpredictable, but do not schedule a move during inclement weather. Even if it means moving a little early or a little late, ask the buyer, sellers and or realtors if accommodations on moving dates can be made during the inclement weather. Most people will be willing to delay if a major storm is on the way.

It is dangerous to move during bad weather on top of just being particularly traumatizing. Moving boxes and furniture is bad enough without thinking you should have invested in a pair of snow shoes for the move.

Switch Utilities Before You Move- Make absolutely sure that the heat will be functional when you get to your new home. If you can't check yourself, double or even triple check with the moving company. The worst thing is to arrive in a new home to it being freezing cold. Also, items left in cold temperatures can get damaged or broken.

Prepare for Power Outages- Snow, ice, sleet and even rain can cause major power outages in most areas. This means you should have your flashlights and candles ready to use, and not packed away in some mystery box. If they are already packed, try to find them before you start the move. Also, if you have a generator, you may want to make sure you have it somewhere you can access easily.

Consider Cold-Resistant Boxes- This may be necessary for long-distance moves when your items will be kept in a cold moving van. Damage to items, especially electronics and appliance, can happen if they are left out in really cold temperatures.

Insure Yourself- Insurance is always important, but especially important if you are moving during the winter. If you are using a moving truck company or renting one, make sure that you are covered on angles. Winter is the time with most moving-related accidents, so it is not the time to take any chances.

Warm-Up For Your Move- This means two things: dressing appropriately and stretching. Make sure that you have plenty of layers that you can shed on and off. You may get hot while you are moving, but cool down while you are preforming more light-weight tasks. Before you start moving anything make sure to stretch. Cold makes the muscles more tense, so they are more prone to injury.

Hire Someone- If you are renting a movie van, you may want to consider hiring on a driver. Driving a large moving truck during the winter can be extremely hazardous to you and all your belongings. Wrecks can be bad enough, but if you wreck in a moving van you can do some very serious damage to your items and other vehicles. If you can't afford to hire a professional, consider looking on Craigslist. Or ask around on Facebook to see if anyone knows someone who is competent at driving large vans. In the midst of a snow-storm is not a good time to experiment with how well you can handle an over-sized vehicle.