With 70 percent of all moving taking place between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend – peak moving season – moving time is probably here for you, as well. And if you live in the Tri-Cities and you plan on moving that means you will be moving in hot weather! Average day temperatures from June to September range from the low eighties to low nineties fueled by the desert climate in the Tri-Cities.
So then the question becomes how to best finesse the heat during a summer move. Be thankful there is little to no humidity here.
Here are some helpful, practical tips for making a summer move a breeze.
Tips For Moving in Hot Weather:
Start Early in the Day
We suggest getting up when the sun rises to avoid the worst of the heat. It is to your advantage that the majority of moving companies like to come to your home to begin the move as early as possible. If you can get a big jumpstart on your move in the morning, you’ll fare well. The intensity of the sun and UV rays are strongest from 11 AM to 3 PM. Plan to load the truck in the morning so you can do the heavy lifting during the cool portion of the day.
Plan Around the Traffic
There typically are many events scheduled for the summer months, and that is likely to be the case where you’re moving from as well as at your destination city. So do everything you can to avoid moving on major holidays, and when popular local events are taking place. With just some basic planning, you can make sure the roads aren’t flooded with cars when you move.
Stay Hydrated & Cool
When you move, you can count on exerting yourself and breaking a sweat. It is easy to get caught up in the momentum of moving as you strive to get the move done as quickly as possible. You are understandably motivated to get to your new home.
You also know that moving is stressful and at times frustrating as you juggle a bunch of responsibilities and try to remember where everything goes. Is everything labeled correctly? Is all the paperwork completed? Moving is a huge undertaking.
Even amid the all-consuming move, you should remember to watch for symptoms of dehydration that include feeling dizzy, rapid heartbeat, lack of energy, confusion, irritability, and fainting.
Sun Protection
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a waterproof sunscreen with SPF-30 or higher for the best sun protection.
As for beating the heat, an easy way to keep everyone cool during the move is to have cool, wet towels available. Try placing washcloths or towels in a cooler with ice. Using these cold towels will help to keep everyone cool and relatively comfortable throughout the move.
Also be aware of exhaustion symptoms as you’re putting your body through so much exertion during the move. Symptoms of exhaustion and overheating include a headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, confusion and fainting. Try putting a cold towel on the back of your neck or on top of your head to bring down your body’s core temperature.
Portable fans can make a big difference when it comes to staying cool in the summer heat. These fans will help to circulate the air and keep the temperature lower when you are loading and unloading boxes.
Protect Heat-Sensitive Personal Belongings
Some of your belongings will not tolerate the heat well, and that is especially true with respect to extreme temperatures inside a moving truck. Here are just some of the personal belongings that warrant special handling:
Electronics:
Keep in mind that tablets, phones, stereos, laptops and other electronic items are very sensitive to warm temperatures. We suggest packing these items in their original packaging for ideal protection and ventilation. You might opt to bring these electronic items with you in the car to your new location.
DVDs, CDs, Vinyl Records, and other media:
CDs, records and other media warp easily when exposed to heat. Place media discs in a more hospitable climate, such as with you in the car instead of in the moving truck. You also might consider backing up important information either online or to an external hard drive.
Candles:
Candles are made to melt so common sense dictates that candles will not fare well packed in a hot moving truck. Protect your candles by bringing them with you in the car.
Plants:
Moving companies will not move live plants because they likely will not survive the shock or heat. Try keeping your plants with you during the move, whether it is across town or across country. You could put them into a strong box and poke holes on the top and sides of the box so your plants receive enough ventilation. You could also put support stakes in your taller plants and tie their foliage with twine.
Accessories:
Remember items like batteries, crayons, certain art supplies, cosmetics, and medicines. None of these items do well in hot temperatures. You might give away or donate batteries or crayons instead of taking space in your car to bring them with you.
Turn on the Utilities Before You Move
Make it a priority to turn on the electricity at your new residence. You might visit your new home or business before moving day to be sure the utilities are turned on and the air conditioner is running. It’s always nice to enter a cool and comfortable house after hours of moving and being on the road.
Be Aware of the Weather
It’s not uncommon to have afternoon thunderstorms during the summer. Beginning your move early will help to avoid being caught in a downpour when you are loading the moving truck. You also don’t want to move in hot weather, disrupt the moving process, or cause delays.
Let Larsen Transfer Help You with Moving in Hot Weather
Are you about to move? Perhaps you don’t know where to turn when it comes to a company that can get you from your old home to your new residence, and in a timely, safe, and efficient manner.
Larsen Transfer is a premier family-owned moving business in the Tri-Cities, WA. Whether you are moving locally, within the states of Washington or Oregon, across the country, or even internationally, we can help you get there!
As we are also an agent for United, we have the capability to take care of all your moving and logistical needs. Trust Larsen Transfer – the industry leader – to make your next move happen seamlessly!
