Helping Customers Every Day

When planned correctly, moving can be a fairly smooth experience. But even those good moves leave you and your friends open to injury if you try to lift too much or rush when loading the truck. Load up on simple safety gear to ensure that you don't harm yourself or your belongings.

Thick Gloves With Palm Grips

Cardboard boxes are generally easy to grip; it's the weight of the contents inside that makes the box gradually slip out of your sweaty hands. Get a few pairs of thick work gloves that have palm grips. These are panels of rough material, usually rubber or flexible plastic, that help keep the box in your hands. The gloves also protect the box from your sweat. Some of these gloves have fields of plastic or rubber dots instead of panels; either style will do. You can get gloves like these at home improvement stores.

Forearm Straps

Forearm straps are long straps that you and a partner (these have to be used in pairs) loop around your forearms and under heavy items that you need to move, like large appliances. The straps give you extra leverage and stability so that you can carefully move the item with less risk of injury. Many moving companies offer these straps as a daily rental along with carts and furniture pads, but you can also buy them online.

Note that the straps don't turn you into a superhero. If something still seems too heavy for two of you to lift with the straps, you need to get more people to help you. Don't strain yourself.

Thick, Tough Shoes

In the rush of moving, it's easy to drop something, often right on your foot. Ensure your shoes are closed-toed and strong. Little flimsy sneakers won't work. They're better than flip-flops, sure, but get a sturdy pair of shoes for the move.

Eyeglass Cords

If you wear eyeglasses, get a sports cord to hold them on your face. When you start sweating during the move, the glasses will be more likely to slip down or even off your face.

Back Support Belt

If you can, try to get a back support belt. Many people don't use these for run-of-the-mill residential moves, but they can help support you as you bend and lift for the next few hours.

These all may seem a bit much at first, but as the move goes on, you'll be happy you had them. When you arrange for your truck rental, ask about renting things like forearm straps and go on a short shopping trip to the home improvement store. Your back, hands, arms, feet, and the rest of your body will thank you.

Contact a company like Elite Truck Rental for more information and assistance.