Do’s and don’ts when moving in the snow

Moving house in winter, and in particular – moving house when it’s snowing outside is a specific type of challenge that will surely test how prepared you are for a winter move. As you know, moving in winter has some indisputable advantages thanks to being the off-season of the moving and storage industry – for example, the much lower rates of professional moving services and the welcoming availability of the best movers in the country.

Still, moving during the winter months comes with its own set of challenges aimed at stressing you out even more (if that’s even possible), especially when you’re “lucky” enough to be moving in snowy weather. In reality, having to deal with snow on moving day is all about maintaining a good level of safety throughout the move.

To help you survive a winter move with plenty of snow outside, you’d better be aware of the do’s and don’ts of moving in the snow.

DO’S when moving in the snow

Having to move out when there’s (plenty of) snow outside is no fun at all. But moving out in any weather is not particularly fun, so to make things even rougher than they already are, moving house in the snow can easily turn out to be too dangerous for you to handle.

Here’s what you have to do to guarantee everyone’s safety during a winter move with snow outside:

• DO SHOVEL and clear any snow or ice from any sidewalks, walkways or stairs that will be used on the day of the move. It is very dangerous to carry heavy furniture pieces, large appliances and overstuffed moving boxes along a slippery cover of snow. If necessary, DO PAY somebody else to do it for you, especially if that somebody has a snowblower.
• DO USE salt or sand, or both, on the areas that you and the movers will use to transport your household items to the parked truck. The last thing you’d want is somebody slipping and falling on moving day. {moving day preparation}
• DO CHECK whether the parking area for the moving truck is free of snow and ice as well. When it’s snowing, conditions change rather quickly and you’ll need to be a few steps ahead to make sure things run smoothly. {moving day mistakes}
• DO STOCK up on winter supplies in case it just keeps on snowing on moving day. Keep a few snow shovels on hand and make sure you have enough sand or salt to fight the formation of ice along the areas that will handle the heaviest traffic. It’s possible that your own car or the moving truck itself could become stuck in the snow too. {moving day help}
• DO PROTECT the inside of your home from all the snow, mud, salt, sand, or slush that will be introduced from yours and your movers’ shoes throughout the move. DO LAY DOWN on the ground protective plastic sheets, large pieces of thick cardboard or old blankets to protect your carpeted or hardwood floors. {protect floors}
• DO DOUBLE-WRAP in bubble wrap and/or blankets all delicate and sensitive items that are notably susceptible to temperature fluctuations and may break or crack when taken from the room temperature in your house to the cold outside. {pack with bubble wrap}
• DO MOVE all small electronic devices in your own vehicle to shield them from the extremely cold inside the moving truck. DO LOAD your super-sensitive items last. {pack electronics}
• DO DRESS appropriately when moving in snowy weather. DO PUT ON winter boots that will not only keep your feet dry and warm, but also give you the good traction you need to avoid slipping on the ice or compacted snow. {moving day fashion}
• DO WEAR layers of clothing so that you can easily take off one layer when you get hot from all the crazy-busy activities on the day of your winter move. DO REMEMBER to put on a layer whenever you stop for a short break.
• DO MAKE SURE you have thick gloves on your hands to keep your fingers from getting too cold and provide the ultimate grip that you will need. DO KEEP in mind that gloves are critical in winter conditions, especially when it’s rather cold and there’s plenty of snow outside. {safety tips}
• DO PREPARE hot drinks for everyone, including the professional movers you hired. There should be plenty of hot beverages when it’s snowing outside and the temperatures are too low – tea, coffee, and naturally, the best drink during a winter move – hot cocoa.
• DO PREPARE your car for the car trip in winter weather conditions – check all fluids, check your tires, check the brakes, and check the car battery. Also, DO MAKE SURE you have the following critical items in the car while on the road: extra fuel, a spare tire, a bag of sand, tow rope, a flashlight, an emergency kit, a mini metal shovel, warm blankets and clothes, and extra food and water.

See also: How to keep your items safe when moving in cold weather

DON’TS when moving in the snow

Now that you are familiar with the most critical things you should do when moving house in the snow (the DO’s), let’s turn your attention to the things you’re not advised to do (the DON’Ts) so that you survive your move without any major problems along the way.

• DON’T TRY to become a hero by proving to yourself, or worse – proving to somebody else that you can move house in extremely bad weather. Instead, use your common sense and assess the house moving risk by constantly keeping an eye on the weather. In case snowfall is truly excessive and your area is in a state of emergency, including for poor driving conditions, then you’ll have to contact your movers and reschedule your winter move.
• DON’T BOTHER turning on the heating on Moving day. The thing is, the doors will be open the entire time with the movers going in and out on a regular basis, so forcing your air-conditioner to compensate for the heat loss will only increase the energy bill. Besides, lifting and carrying heavy items will keep everybody hot enough, and possibly even sweaty. What you can do is keep one smaller room heated so anyone who happens to be cold can go there and take a little break from the cold temperatures.
• DON’T FORGET to check whether the utilities are up and running in the new home before you reach it. Having to endure a move in the snow is hard enough, but it’s not even comparable to moving into an icy cold home with no electricity and no running water. Have them turned on at least 2 days before the winter move. {transfer utilities}
• DON’T START the car trip to the new home until you are absolutely sure you’ll be fairly safe on the road. Driving in snow is difficult and dangerous, but in cases of light snow, you should be alright. Just plan out your route in advance and allow plenty of time to reach your destination and drive really carefully. {pack a car}
• DON’T MAKE the mistake of organizing a self-move during the winter, especially when you’ll be moving in the snow. The thing is that the best residential movers in the country do tend to lower their prices significantly during the off-season (September – May), so you’re likely to get a great deal for your winter move. Besides, driving a big rental moving truck in the snow is the last thing you’d ever want to do. {negotiate with movers}

Read also: Why should you hire professional movers?