Ahh, summer. It’s the season of lounging in the sun sipping an iced coffee or a freshly-squeezed glass of lemonade—unless a summertime move is looming on your horizon. Instead of sun-drenched days by the beach, you’re facing sun-deprived days boxing up your belongings, loading them onto the back of a moving truck, and unloading them at your new home. Not exactly the vacation you were hoping for.
Inclement weather isn’t only a concern for those moving in the winter—if you’re gearing up for a summer move, especially if you’re moving to or from a warm climate, you’ll need a plan for how you will handle the hot weather. If you don’t take the proper precautions, you, your moving team, and your belongings could sustain serious injury or damage.
Get ready for your summer move with 15 hot weather moving tips:
1. Watch the weather
Keep an eye on the forecast in the days leading up to your move so you can prepare for whatever is coming, whether it’s a comfortably balmy summer day or a mercury-busting scorcher.
If you’re moving long distance, check the weather in your starting and end destinations so you can plan accordingly for loading and unloading.
2. Stay hydrated
We can’t stress this one enough—drink lots of fluids throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Keep chilled fluids on hand at all times for yourself and your moving crew. Water and electrolyte-rich drinks are your best choice.
As tired as you might feel, try to stay away from caffeinated beverages, and save the booze till after you’ve finished moving—they can dehydrate you.
3. Snack often
Munching on healthy snacks regularly will keep your energy levels up throughout the move. You may not feel hungry because of the heat, but your body will need the fuel, especially if you’re sweating and exerting yourself.
Avoid salty snacks, which will just make you thirstier—instead, opt for nutritious, easy, grab-and-go snacks like fruit and granola bars. Popsicles and other cool treats are another great way to stay cool.
4. Dress light
Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. If you can, avoid synthetic fabrics like rayon and polyester—they don’t breath as well as cotton, and you’ll feel hotter. Moisture wicking athletic wear is also a good choice.
You may be tempted to wear sandals to give your toes a chance to breathe, but sturdy, closed-toed shoes will offer better support and greater protection if you drop something.
5. Wear sunscreen
You may not think it’s necessary since you’ll only be in and out of the sun, but even short stints in the sun can add up. Sunscreen will protect you from a painful sunburn, as well as serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
6. Start as early as possible
If you can, try to get the most physical part of your move—loading and unloading—out of the way as early as possible, or wait till the evening so you can avoid doing any heavy lifting during the hottest part of the day.
7. Make a plan for items that don’t fare well in the heat
You and your moving team aren’t the only ones who need special consideration in the heat. Some items are at a much higher risk of damage in hot weather, including:
- Plants
- Electronics
- Artwork
- Computer equipment
- Vinyl records
- Food
Don’t leave these items in direct sunlight, and if you can, pack them into your personal vehicle, where you’ll have greater control over the temperature. If possible, load them last, and unload them first to limit the amount of time they are exposed to the heat.
8. Don’t be afraid to crank up the air conditioning
With people constantly in and out and your door opening and closing often, you might need to turn up your air conditioning in order to keep it cool indoors.
Portable fans can also help keep the air flowing, especially if you don’t have air conditioning. If you’re using fans, try to place them in high-traffic areas—just keep them out of the way so your moving crew doesn’t trip.
Keep cool all day with these extra frosty tips:
- When you unload, move everything to a central location. That way, you can unload as quickly as possible and minimize the time your door is open. Once everything is inside, shut the door, let the A/C take over, and start moving stuff around.
- Set up a dedicated cooling room where people can go to cool off when they need a break. Keep the door closed so this room stays cool, and stock it with a cooler full of water, as well as other snacks.
9. Take breaks
Every hour or two, stop for 15 minutes to rest. It’s best to take a break and work later into the day than over-exert yourself and end up spending the next day in bed due to heat exhaustion.
10. Know the signs of heat exhaustion
Pay attention to how you feel and how your moving team is feeling, keeping a close eye out for symptoms of heat exhaustion. These include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Thirst
- Fatigue
If symptoms escalate, you may be at risk of heat stroke. Severe symptoms include:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Vomiting
- Changes in consciousness
- High body temperature
- Drop in blood pressure
If you spot any of these symptoms, stop working immediately, go inside, and sip cold water. You should also seek medical attention.
11. Keep cold towels on hand
Dampen some washcloths and stash them in your freezer or an ice-packed cooler so you and your moving crew can towel off as needed.
12. Take care of your pets
Heat can be just as hard on your pets as it is on you. Make sure they have constant access to fresh water, and a cool, shady area where they can wait out the move. Alternatively, if they are crate-trained, put them in their crate to keep them safe from all the hustle and bustle. Whatever you do, never leave them in the car.
13. Keep a cooler full of cold water and snacks in your personal vehicle
Freeze the bottles first so they are ice-cold on the day of your move. Bonus: they’ll act as ice packs to keep the rest of your food cold.
14. Keep a change of clothes handy
Chances are you’ll be itching for a refreshing shower after a long, hot day of loading and unloading boxes. If you have the space, pack an easily-accessible change of clothes in your personal vehicle and keep them handy so you have fresh, clean clothes for after your much-needed shower.
15. Consider hiring pros to handle the heavy items
You can skip the heavy lifting all together by hiring a professional moving company to help with your move. If you’re moving locally, professional movers may be able to load, move, and unload all your stuff in a few short hours. For long distance moves, a consolidated freight company like TSI can help you move your heavy items, including furniture and large boxes.
Conclusion
A move can cramp your summer style, but if you follow these tips, you can get back to sipping icy beverages by the pool in no time. If you’re facing a summer move, the most important things to remember are:
- Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water throughout the day, and avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.
- Fuel up. Munch on healthy grab-and-go snacks like fruit or granola bars, and don’t be afraid to take breaks whenever you need one.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Make a plan for belongings that don’t fare well in the heat, such as electronics, food, plants, and artwork.
- NEVER leave your pets in the car.
Moving long distance? Save yourself the trouble of loading and unloading your heavy, bulky, or fragile belongings by hiring a professional freight shipping company to handle these items.
Long distance moves made easy
TSI’s personalized small moves solutions makes summer moves a breeze.
About the author: Rachel Hazzard is the Content Solutions Manager for TSI, a seven-time honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies. After years in the industry, she’s an expert on packing, organizing, and downsizing. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her eating out or hanging with her cat Nilla.
