How To Move In The Summer Heat

Summer is a popular time for moves. It is definitely better than moving in the winter but it comes with its fair share of challenges because the heat in summer can be intolerable, making your move tiresome and exposing you and your movers to the risk of heat exhaustion.

In this article, we share great summer moving tips that will make your move in the summer seamless.

Understanding Heat Exhaustion

Before we can dive in on the tips, we have to talk about heat exhaustion because it is one of the greatest impediments to a summer move. In fact, most of the tips we will share will be intended to help prevent heat exhaustion, which can be detrimental to your health and in extreme cases, fatal.

Signs of heat exhaustion involve:

•    Heavy sweating
•    Rapid heartbeat
•    Feeling faint
•    A headache
•    Nausea
•    Low blood pressure
•    Fatigue
•    Pale moist skin
•    Dark urine
•    Low-grade fever
•    Confusion

Some of these symptoms can be easily mistaken for the normal fatigue one experiences during moving so it’s important to take certain measures to prevent heat exhaustion altogether. If you suspect that any of your family of moving crew members are suffering from heat exhaustion, first remove them from the heat and take them to an air-conditioned or shaded area immediately. If they are conscious, encourage them to drink cool water and then spay cool water over their bodies using a water hose, shower or sponge. Ask them to lie down and elevate their feet. If their breathing is shallow and rapid, pulse weak, or if they are disoriented or losing consciousness, call 911 for help immediately.

To avoid heat exhaustion, this is how to move in the summer. Follow these simple summer moving tips and you will do just fine.

1.    Start Your Move Early

The strength of the sun in the summer is usually strongest between 11am and 3pm. The best time to move is early morning before the sun gets too hot. Even a 10-degree difference can have a significant impact. If you are moving long distance, starting early will give you enough time to reach your destination.

2.    Have Lots of Bottled Water in Hand

Generally, you should take lots of water in the summer but more so when moving. Moving takes a lot of energy and you are bound to lose a lot of excess water through sweat. Buy lots of bottled water and put in in cooler or ice boxes. Make sure the water bottles are accessible to all your family members and the moving crew. To save money, you can buy disposable plastic cups to minimize wastage when people fail to finish the water in their individual bottles.

3.    Proper Clothing

Most moving companies wear overalls but in the summer the outfits have to be light and airy. Put on loss fitting, lightweight breathable fabrics such as linen or cotton. These materials absorb moisture and sweat and also allow for it to evaporate fast leaving you dry as you move. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon are a no-no.

Avoid dark colored clothing as well as they absorb heat. White and other neutrals are the better option. Last but most importantly, make sure everyone in your moving crew has a hat on to protect their face and head from the harsh rays of the summer sun.

4.    Apply Sunscreen

We cannot emphasize the importance of sunscreen enough. Research shows that during the summer, one should use a sunscreen with the SPF of at least 30. Your sunscreen should also be water resistant and one with broad-spectrum protection. It should be applied or sprayed all over your face, neck area, shoulders, ears, arms, feet, legs and hands. You should also apply it 15 minutes before going outside. Depending on how good your sunscreen is and intensity of the sun, you might have to reapply every one to two hours.

5.    Prepare Cold Towels

Hand towels help keep one cool during the summer. To prepare them, simply fill up a cooler with ice, then fold several damp washcloths in the cooler. Allow them to sit there for a couple of hours before they can be used. These will help keep you and your moving crew cool all day long. You can keep adding more ice to help keep the wash clothes as cool as possible.

6.    Have Portable Fans

Your air conditioning might not be running on the day you move. This means that the movers will be subjected to heat both inside and outside the house. Portable fans can be as cheap as $10 each and they are available in most big stores such as Walmart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Home Depot. This fans will also come in handy if the electricity in your new home is not on yet. When buying portable fans, go for the ones that run on battery power as well because even if you don’t have power, you will still be able to make use of them. If loading and unloading boxes is being done near the garage, make sure to have one fun in the garage.

7.    Turn the Utilities on Before Moving

Make sure to turn on the utilities in the home your moving into. The air conditioning should be working and on before you start moving so that you and your moving crew have an easier time moving things into your new space. Cooling down your new house early enough will help make the moving process easier and faster.

8.    Protect Delicate Items from the Heat

Remember that not all your items can withstand the summer heat. Some might not handle the heat in the moving trucks for too long. Anything that melts when exposed to heat, as well as electronics should be packed separately and put in an air-conditioned space before the move. Some movers have trucks with air condition and other cooling mechanisms that prevent your items from heat damage.

Finding The Best Moving Company

With so many moving companies to choose from, how do you decide who to pick for your summer move? Before deciding on your moving company for a summer move, check if the company has experience moving people in the summer. Find out if they put measures to equip their movers with the skills and knowledge of conducting a move in the summer without suffering from heat exhaustion. Lastly, your moving company should be willing to discuss with you the measures that will be taken to make your summer move flawlessly.     

Alpha Moving & Storage is one of the most respected privately owned moving companies in New Jersey. They have conducted numerous summer moves since inception and they continue to be among the very best in the market.

With their 20+ experience in moving, you can be certain that they know exactly what they are doing and no challenge is too big for them.  They can move you in the summer to any location be it locally, or long distance. Their state of the art moving tracks are designed to allow for maximum air movement keeping your items cool and in good condition even during a long distance move.

Their services are very affordable and their crew professional and capable. They come prepared with all the necessary gear needed for a summer move including their own cooler boxes and hydrating drinks.

To find out more about Alpha Moving & Storage, check out their website and call them for a free quotation. The friendly staff will answer any questions you might have regarding your summer move before giving you a quotation.

Ultimately a summer move if well planned does not have to be dreadful. Follow through this summer moving tips on how to move in the summer heat and you will have a great moving experience despite the summer heat.