How To Lift Heavy Objects By Yourself When Moving House
Aug 28, 2023
Moving objects is among the most challenging tasks you have to manage during a house move. Many household objects are expensive and heavy, which is why you have to be extremely careful while lifting and loading/unloading it.
Mistakes and unpreparedness can lead to serious musculoskeletal disorders and hospitalisation. According to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), since 2000, at least 27 people have died in Australia from toppling objects. Also, people of all ages face the risk of getting injured by toppling tables, chairs, desks, shelves and other objects.
Most people hire
budget removalists in Perth to manage the complicated process of packing and moving heavy objects. Professionals have the experience, equipment and expertise to lift and move beds, gym equipment, wardrobes, etc.
But
if you want to manage this activity yourself, here is your complete guide outlining tips for lifting heavy objects when moving house. Have a look.
Create An Inventory
Heavy and large objects items need to go in the moving truck first and before small boxes as they are placed against the vehicle’s walls. Thus, you need to
create an inventory of all the big and heavy objects in your home to ensure they are loaded on a moving day without confusion.
On the inventory list, include details about the objects type, its location in your home and measurements. It will come in handy before and after your hired removalists in Perth arrive to move your belongings. Even if you are renting a moving truck instead of hiring professionals, create the list to avoid stress and hassle.
Buy/Rent Moving Equipment
Professional removalists in Perth always lift and shift heavy household items with moving equipment. These tools enable them to drag and pick objects securely and
avoid serious injuries. Therefore, you should buy or rent moving equipment to manage the activity without sustaining sprains, strains, scrapes, etc. Here are some tools professionals commonly use for handling heavy objects.
- Moving dolly
- Straps and harnesses
- Objects sliders
- 4-wheeler
- Hand truck
These equipment will help keep your back, arms, legs, shoulders and neck from dislocating or stressing.
Use Right Lifting/Shifting Techniques
While handling heavy objects, you need to maintain accurate posture and use the right techniques to avoid toppling items. Therefore, before you start the activity, practise to ensure you can lift or shift the objects without sustaining injuries.
Make sure you don’t
include things to leave behind during relocation. Here are some professional techniques removalists in Perth use to handle big and heavy things smoothly.
- Avoid dragging or lifting extremely bulky objects like couches, desks, and tables, among others. Instead, slide them with objects sliders, towels, blankets etc. This technique will prevent scuff marks, scratches, dents or line floors and carpets.
- Don’t try to lift above your capacity and seek the assistance of household members.
- Before you start lifting or shifting objects, warm up your body by stretching. Also, practise the motions you need to do for moving the objects.
- Breathe correctly by inhaling while lowering the heavy objects and exhaling while lifting. Don’t hold your breath.
- Lift with the strength of your legs rather than your back. Wearing a back brace would also help you maintain proper posture.
Disassemble Objects
Inspect the objects in your home to see which ones you can disassemble, as it will make packing and moving them easier. If you don’t have the instruction manual for the items, take pictures of the objects during the dismantling process to know how to put it back together.
You can remove shelves, racks, knobs, handles, planks and various other items off the objects to make it more manageable during a
house move.
Lift Objects with Assistance
Items like couches, tables, chairs, wardrobes and shelves, among others, are challenging to lift alone. Therefore, make sure you take the assistance of other household members to manage the tasks with you.
Also, asses your situation to know what is
the best way to move. You can shift the objects to the side as moving objects vertically is nearly impossible, and it increases the risk of toppling. Make sure each person carrying the item picks it from an end rather than the middle.
Furthermore, while taking objects downstairs, the person on the lower end should hold the item from below, and the person on the upper end should grab the objects from above. It helps keep the items at an angle and take it down the stains without hassle.
Wrapping Up
Lifting heavy objects is unavoidable while moving house, but you can end up injuring yourself without proper technique or tools. Therefore, hire objects removalists in Perth to manage the activity and ensure you can move smoothly.
However, if you want to handle and load heavy objects on the moving truck yourself, follow the tips shared above. Whatever choice you make, take care of your safety and ensure the items are moved securely.
