Moving in the winter months can present a unique set of challenges that can cause additional stress during an already difficult time. According to the region you live in, you may have to deal with below freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and wind. Moving in the winter season may require more preparation than moving during other times of the year, but it is not impossible. Take a look at some of our winter moving tips that we hope will help you as you get ready for your upcoming move.
PREPARATION IS KEY
If you live in an area that gets frequent snow and ice, you probably already have most of the supplies that you will need. You will want to make sure you have snow shovels and salt to ensure you can keep all walkways and the driveway clear of snow and ice. Weather can be fairly unpredictable but try to plan your move on a day where conditions are more suitable.
PROTECT THE FLOORING
Whether you have helpers or not, you should lay down cardboard or rugs in order to protect your flooring from the people going in and out. If the ground is wet due to snow or ice, you are going to have people leaving tracks in the house. If you have something laid on the high-traffic areas, especially around the doors, you can protect your carpet or hardwoods.
GET STARTED EARLY AND PLAN FOR SHORT DAYS
We don’t get as many hours of daylight in the winter season, so you will need to plan your moving days around that. Try to get started early when the sun comes up, so you don’t find yourself working in freezing temperatures and in the dark. Any weather app can tell you the approximate time of sunrise and sunset so you can better plan your moving days.
STAY WARM
Hypothermia can be a real threat in some areas of the country. Be sure that you and anyone helping you move is dressed in appropriate clothing and that everyone is taking breaks from being outside and has a heated area they can go to warm up. Keep some warm beverages on hand—coffee, tea, hot cocoa—for an extra warming boost.
TAKE YOUR TIME AND USE CAUTION
Moving is hard work and people tend to go as fast as they can to get it done and to meet deadlines and time restraints. But if you are moving during freezing temperatures with snow and ice on the ground, you need to slow down a little in order to move safely. If you were to slip and fall on the ice, you could seriously injure yourself. We also recommend using caution when you are driving and if conditions get bad to delay your move until you can do it safely.
If you haven’t scheduled your move with Zippy Shell yet, give us a call at 888-947-7974 for a free estimate. We can answer any questions you have about our many moving and storage services to make sure we find the right fit to your moving needs. We look forward to hearing from you!