Winter Moving Tips: Keeping Sensitive Belongings Safe And Preventing Falls

Most people try to move during the spring and summer months so they can avoid poor weather conditions that can cause difficulties during the move. If you need to move during the winter or if you want to save money on moving expenses, then you may decide to move from one house to another during December, January, or February. If you do this, then it is wise to hire a local moving service to help you. This will help to keep snow and ice from stopping the progress of cars and small moving vans. There are many things that you will need to do during your move to keep your belongings from becoming damaged.

Protect Sensitive Belongings

Electronic Components

If you pack certain items and move them when the temperatures are cold outside, then some of your things may become stressed and damaged. This is true of electronics, because cold temperatures change the way batteries function. The cold forces batteries to release their charges more quickly than normal. This means that batteries are unable to stay charged for as long as they used to, and in some cases batteries will no longer be able to hold a charge at all. Also, sensitive and delicate components like processors and small microchips can become brittle and break in the cold.

This means that you cannot pack and move electronic equipment like you would in the warm weather. You should instead place your computers, cameras, phones, and tablets in insulated cases. Place these cases in your car after it has been warmed up for 15 or 20 minutes. You can also place these devices in the cab of the moving truck or in the back if it is heated.  

Fine China

Fine china dishes, cups, and bowls can also be damaged by cold temperatures. China is generally made out of bone, porcelain, or hard clay materials. Once the china is fired in a kiln, a glaze is placed over it. This is done to either protect the china or to add decoration to the piece. The glaze that is placed over the china can crack over time. This is called crazing and it can be worsened by extreme hot and cold temperatures. If the fine lines expand too far or expose the underlying materials of the china, then the plate or cup can break. This means you need to protect your fine china pieces from cold weather during a move.

When you pack your china, make sure to place tinfoil around stacks of dishes before you place them in your boxes. Tinfoil will provide some insulation so your dishes do not cool down as quickly when they are exposed to cold temperatures. Consider placing wool blankets in boxes as well, to help retain some of the heat around your fine china. These insulation materials should keep your china safe while your local movers move your things.

Clear All Walkways 

If you and your movers carry boxes in the winter, then damage may occur to your things if a slip or fall occurs on icy walkways. This means you should clear sidewalks, porches, driveways, and other paths leading to both your old and new home. Clear snow on the morning of the move. Shovel snow away from all paths where the movers will walk and make sure that snow is not piled near your home, sidewalk, or driveway. This can cause visibility issues and movers may run into one another.

Once you clear all the snow, spread rock salt to keep ice from forming. You only need a small amount of salt to keep ice at bay, so spread a thin layer on concrete and asphalt surfaces. Once you spread the salt, place a layer of sand or kitty litter over walkways. This will help to provide traction when snow and ice melt and form a layer of water over spaces near your old and new home.

If you intend on moving during the winter, then make sure that professionals help you to ensure the safety of your belongings. Also, follow the tips above to make sure that sensitive items do not become damaged and slips and falls do not occur.

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