Guide to Moving in the Heat - How to Stay Safe while Packing Your Moving Truck Rental
While most people love the summer months and the warmth of the bright sun, overexerting oneself during a move can be dangerous in extremely high temperatures. Carrying heavy boxes and furniture, while loading your home's contents onto a moving truck rental, can not only be tiring and cause later backpains, but can also cause heat stroke, sun stroke, heat exhaustion, and other illnesses, if one is not careful to take the necessary precautions.
Common sense really prevails when working in the heat and sun, but often, we are under such pressure to complete the move on a deadline, that we forget these twenty important tips on how to stay safe while packing your moving truck in the heat. To make your moving day a success and to avoid nasty health conditions when loading and off-loading your truck rental on moving day, we recommend that you heed these warnings.
1. Wear sunscreen to protect the skin from severe burning. The nose, ears and shoulders are particularly sensitive, so be generous in applying the cream. Also, sunscreen wears off, so be sure to apply another coat once you have cooled yourself down with a splash under the hose or when sweating profusely.
2. Cover the head to avoid sunstroke and sunburn on the scalp. Whether you use a baseball-type cap or wet towel, any protection over the head will keep the sun's rays away.
3. Pace yourself to avoid heat exhaustion. Do not expect to load the moving truck all at once. Take breaks and set reasonable goals. For example, if you have only packed a small portion of the truck but feel tired, stop and rest. Get out of the cargo area of the truck rental and find a shady cooler spot to rest. Felling dizziness or nausea is a sign to take a break away from the truck rental.
4. Drink plenty of water. Keep cooled water in the back of the rental truck while you are loading everything. When you are off-loading the moving truck rental, stop for a drink as you place the boxes in you new home.
5. Liquids other than water should be taken in moderation because of the sugar content. Absolutely do not drink alcohol while loading, driving or off-loading the truck rental. Aside from the fact that drinking and driving is illegal, the alcohol causes dehydration and will not replenish your body to effectively combat the heat.
6. The cargo area of the rental truck will be very hot. In fact, it will be hotter inside the truck than outside, and there will be little, if no air circulation. Take a rest periodically to get some fresh air.
7. When moving to a higher altitude in the heat, work slowly in the truck rental as you get accustomed to the air pressure.
8. Dress lightly but safely. For example, wear running shoes not flip-flops. Running shoes will help protect your feet if anything falls on them in the moving truck. Also, pushing a rental dolly will be more comfortable with closed shoes, as opposed to open sandals.
9. Wear loose fitting clothing, as it will be more comfortable. Also, wear materials that allow the skin to breathe and perspire.
10. Make sure the truck rental has enough coolant to prevent over heating. Hopefully the truck rental agency will have installed the correct thermostat for high heat temperatures.
11. If traveling through hills and mountains during the heat, go slowly because of the extra work on the truck's engine. The weight of the moving truck, coupled with the heat, may cause over-heating of the truck.
12. Before leaving the moving truck rental lot, make sure the cab's air conditioning is working properly.
13. Rest in the shade. While loading and off-loading the truck rental, set up a canopy or temporary gazebo to rest in the shade.
14. If feasible, erect a shelter or awning at the back of moving truck to keep the sun off the work area. The shelter could actually cover the truck rental ramp keeping the area cooler.
15. When possible, pack the moving truck when the sun has gone down. Even if the hot temperatures remain, it will be cooler when the sun's rays have gown down for the night. The relief from the constant burning of the sun will help you to pack the truck faster and more efficiently.
16. Keep animals indoors in an air-conditioned or well-cooled area until you are ready to leave.
17. Animals DO NOT travel in the cargo area of the moving truck rental. Also, provide plenty of water while they are in transit. The environment will be unfamiliar to them and keeping them comfortable will help to calm them.
18. NEVER leave pets and children in the cab of the truck, or any other vehicle, even for a few minutes in the heat. The temperature will rise quickly inside the truck, and pets and children can die from the heat.
19. Listen to the weather advisory channels and heed caution when smog, pollution and heat are high. Smog and pollution are health risks in themselves, but add them to extreme heat and disaster is waiting to happen. The combination makes it almost impossible to breathe and exerting the body to carry heavy loads to and from the moving truck will make breathing even more strained to the point of possible collapse. Be prepared while packing the moving truck rental and expect that the job will take longer than normal. If necessary, reserve the truck rental for an extra day, so that you are not pushing to complete the move so quickly that you make yourself sick.
20. Allergies and asthma are other health issues that need to be addressed when loading the moving truck. Again, breathing is a problem, but some people will need medication to control the allergy or asthma attack. Keep your inhaler with you at all times while packing the truck. Take breaks more often than normal. If antihistamine is used, keep it on your person for easy access. The key is to recognize that the symptoms are worse in the heat.
Lastly, humidity will play a role in any sickness. In fact, humidity makes the air feel like it is hotter than the real temperature. Thus, it is more difficult to work because your body and clothes always feel like they are wet. And, humidity is stifling, so other symptoms are exaggerated. Cool down regularly while packing the truck by splashing your body with water from the garden hose. Keep a bucket of ice chips to put in your mouth when you feel hot and dehydrated. Knowing how to stay safe while packing your moving truck will make for a pleasant and uneventful relocation.