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Once you\u2019re sure of your route, have a quick look to see if there are any hazards on the way. Make a note of any steps or changes of level and clear away any removable objects.<\/p>\nMoving house can be a stressful time. Part of this is money-related. Whether you\u2019re going to be renting or are buying your new home, sometimes it can feel like the bills are stacking up.<\/p>\n
Moving your possessions to your new home yourself is a great way to save money. Whether you rent a van or use your own transport, moving your belongings yourself is cheaper than hiring a company to do it for you.<\/p>\n
But before you get started you need to be sure that you can do the job safely. Moving house usually involves lots of heavy lifting. If you do this wrong you can end up hurting yourself and having to hire a removal company anyway. <\/p>\n
To help you avoid all this, we\u2019ve made a 5 step guide to lifting heavy objects on moving day.<\/p>\n
The first thing you should do when preparing to lift a heavy object is take a look at it. Check to see if it\u2019s got handles or any particularly convenient places to pick it up. This might stop you from trapping your fingers or dropping it.<\/p>\n
You should also try testing its weight if you can. Sometimes it can be hard to work out how heavy an object is by just looking at it \u2013 if it\u2019s small it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it\u2019s not heavy.<\/p>\n
Finally, check the object for any loose or unstable parts. If any of it\u2019s detachable, it might be a good idea to take these off to make it lighter. And if it\u2019s a box, look inside it. If its contents shift around while you\u2019re carrying it and you\u2019re not prepared, you might lose your balance.<\/p>\n
You can lessen the amount of time you spend lifting a heavy object if you know where you\u2019re taking it. Reminding yourself of where you\u2019re going and how you\u2019re going to get there beforehand will stop you dithering around with a heavy load and potentially injuring yourself.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re sure of your route, have a quick look to see if there are any hazards on the way. Make a note of any steps or changes of level and clear away any removable objects.<\/p>\n
The golden rule is to lift with your legs, not your back. Start with your back straight and your knees bent. Preparing by squatting with your feet shoulder-width apart will mean that when you do lift the heavy object you\u2019ll be using all the right muscles.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re in position, go ahead and lift. Keep your back straight and the object close to you to avoid straining. Use your leg muscles and move slowly and smoothly. Try to avoid twisting your body or hunching your shoulders.<\/p>\n
Putting a heavy object down safely is just as important as picking it up. Make sure that where you\u2019re putting it is level and stable. As with picking it up, use your leg muscles and not your back. Keep holding the object close to your body and lower it down by bending your knees. Put it down gently to avoid straining yourself.<\/p>\n
So now you should be one step closer to moving safely and relatively cheaply. And remember, if you think an object is too heavy for you to lift, don\u2019t do it! Your health is more valuable than the object and it\u2019s not worth the risk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Moving house can be a stressful time. Part of this is money-related. Whether you\u2019re going to be renting or are buying your new home, sometimes … <\/p>\n