Let’s be honest; moving is never all that much fun and inclement weather can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for couples and families. The following tips can help to reduce your moving stress, protect your furnishings, and help your move go as smoothly and efficiently as possible. Thinking you’d rather avoid the stress of moving altogether? Jay’s Small Moves provides affordable professional moving services.

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Baby, It’s Cold Outside! 7 Tips for Moving in Winter

  1. Enlist a sitter for the kids and the pets. We always advise families to hire someone, or enlist the help of a friend, to take the kids and pets while the moving truck is being loaded and unloaded. Having small children and pets moving in and around the movers, boxes, and stacked furnishings is dangerous. Plus, it’s easy for them to escape outdoors without anyone noticing. Getting them out of the way is safer for everyone involved.
  2. Prepare your home. Often, winter weather means extra moisture and mud. Protect your home from the constant onslaught of foot traffic that will occur back and forth through doorways and in hallways. Use sheets, rugs and plastic to protect your flooring. If it’s sleeting or icy, clear the path from your doorways to your driveway or street and use salt, kitty litter, gravel, or other de-icers to prevent yourself and the movers from slipping.
  3. Have extra padding and covers on hand. A good moving company should be prepared for inclement weather. If you are moving yourself, with the help of family and friends, rent extra padding and covers or ask everyone to bring theirs. Your furnishings are much more susceptible to damage when they are exposed to moisture or water from mist, rain or sleet.
  4. Dress appropriately. Odds are, you’ll be pitching in to carry a few items or to direct your movers regarding furnishing placement. Wear layers so you can keep warm and then shed them if you are moving around so much you get hot. Wear boots or shoes with non-slip soles. You are more prone to slip-and-fall accidents in bad weather anyway, and this is especially true if you are carrying heavy or cumbersome boxes and furnishings.
  5. Communicate with utility companies. Sometimes homeowners or renters jump the gun and have their utilities turned off on moving day in order to save money. This can be a nightmare if it’s a cold, cloudy or stormy day. You want to make sure your home has plenty of light and heat so everyone can see what they’re doing and get warm from time to time.
  6. Allow for extra travel time. Winter weather can mean reduced speeds on streets and freeways. Make sure you’ve accommodated for extra travel time, especially if your move is local and you plan on using multiple trips to complete your move.
  7. Pay extra attention to your furniture. This may sound odd, but wood furniture can sweat when moved between areas with extreme temperature changes. Have some towels on hand to wipe your furniture down when it arrives to your new location. Also, electronics and appliances need to be brought to room temperature before they’re powered on if they have been traveling or resting in a truck in cold temperatures for long periods of time.

As always, the key to a successful move is organization and planning. Moving in winter is no different. These 7 tips will help to keep you, your family, and your belongings safe – no matter what Mother Nature has in store for the day. Ready to plan your winter move? Contact Jay’s Small Moves.