While we don’t always plan to make a move in the summer, sometimes things just work out that way. When it does, the only thing you can do is to make the best of it. Whether you are planning a move in Fall River or making a bigger trip across the country, here are some tips that will help you to keep cool and keep your cool throughout your move.
Tip #1 – Think Comfort
Your comfort should be your number one concern. Sure, you’re gonna get hot. Yes, it’s not going to be easy – but what move is ever easy? Dress in comfortable, yet practical, clothing. Shorts and T-shirts are okay, as long as you won’t be moving fiberglass or anything else that might irritate your skin. Think ahead and consider wearing layers of clothing that will protect you when you need it, but allow you to remove some items and cool down as it gets later in the day.
Tip #2 – Stay Hydrated
Hot weather puts everyone at risk for dehydration. Add to that moving around a bunch of heavy boxes, appliances and furniture, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Make sure to have plenty of water or sports drinks on-hand in a cooler throughout the move and provide beverages to anyone that is kind enough to help you load and move your stuff.
Tip #3 – Know the Weather
It helps to have a basic understanding of the local weather and the temperature changes that occur throughout the day. Packing a moving truck in Fall River in the summer should be planned for early in the morning, or later in the evening when the sun goes down. Avoid unloading boxes and other heavy items during the hottest part of the day, between 2:00 and 5:00 pm. Instead, use that time to clean up inside your old home or start unpacking in your new home – with the A/C on – until it cools down and you can begin packing or unloading more items again.
Tip #4 – Consider Your Pets Too
Sometimes we are so busy thinking about planning a move in Fall River and getting our items from point A to point B, that it becomes easy to forget about how our pets are dealing with the move and the heat. Consider boarding your pets with your local vet while you move and get settled in or make arrangements for someone to take care of them during the day. Reptiles, fish and birds are all extremely sensitive to heat – and change – so it is better to bring them to your new place once it is cooler and you have everything set-up to make a smooth transition. Dogs, cats and other mammals, will settle in easier if they are not present for the confusion and stress of the moving process.
Tip #5 – Load the Moving Truck Properly
Believe it or not, there is actually a proper way to load a moving truck to prevent boxes or other items from falling over and causing damage throughout your move. After renting a moving truck in Fall River, take a few minutes to look at the space you’ll have and load it accordingly. Put the heaviest items in the back, such as furniture and appliances, taking care to distribute the weight on each side of the truck. When stacking boxes, put the heavier and larger boxes on the bottom, with lighter weight boxes on top. If you take time to load the moving truck properly, you’ll save a lot of time in unloading it when you reach your destination.
Tip #6 – The More the Merrier
Friends really come in handy when you need to make a move. They can help you load the moving truck, unload at your new place and help you organize everything once you get there. Make sure to offer to pay for gas and put out plenty of cold water, drinks and food. One way to show your appreciation is to buy a special thank-you gift for those who help, such as a gift card to a restaurant, an iTunes card for a friend that loves music or even an offer of reciprocating help for a future move or need.
Tip #7 – Rent a Reliable Moving Truck
When it comes to renting a moving truck, this is not the time to go cheap. Affordable Storage in Fall River is an authorized provider of Penske Rental trucks, giving residents in the Southeastern Massachusetts area access to quality moving truck rentals at an affordable rate. Visit the Affordable Storage in Fall River website for more tips on moving, packing a moving truck, choosing the right size truck for the job and of course, information on affordable storage available in case you want to store some items or need a little extra space after your move.