How To Lift Heavy Objects By Yourself?
Oct 31, 2022
Experiencing minor injuries and back problems during a house move is expected. Cuts, bruises, muscle strains, and falls frequently happen because you walk around the house more, packing is messy and moving things is necessary.
However, problems arise when you sustain a major injury while lifting or handling heavy objects. Contact with objects, falls, and transport accidents are the top causes of
hospitalised injury in Australia, meaning you must carefully manage moving tasks that require physical labour.
Hire professional removalists in Brisbane to handle and move your things to avoid injuries or stress. Since the professionals have moving equipment, training and knowledge, they can lift heavy items and boxes efficiently and effectively.
However, here is your complete guide for lifting heavy objects yourself to pack or handle moving boxes, furniture, appliances etc. Have a look.
Prepare Yourself & Items for Lifting
Wear stretchable, comfortable and fitted clothes that are appropriate for the weather. Avoid wearing flowy or oversized clothing that increases the risk of tripping. Your clothes shouldn’t be extremely tight, as they will make bending and moving difficult.
You can also wear a back belt, kneecaps, gloves and other personal protective equipment to keep yourself safe. Besides readying yourself for lifting heavy items, prepare the objects as well.
- Ensure moving boxes are sealed with packing tape from both ends
- Secure the doors, drawers and other openings of appliances, furniture etc., with straps.
- Wrap furniture with moving blankets and plastic wrap.
- Label moving boxes, especially if they contain liquid, fragile or extremely heavy contents.
Ensure Weight Distribution is Uniform
Not checking the uniformity of weight distribution is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while handling heavy boxes and objects. Whether moving things with a dolly or yourself, lift them first to check their stability.
Also, pack boxes ensuring they have enough space to keep contents uniformly. Also, it helps to keep similar items together to have an even weight distribution.
Check If You Need Help
While picking up bulky items, be wary of sustaining
injuries or strains on the moving day. Don’t hesitate to ask for help from a household member or friend if the object is too heavy. You can determine the weight of an object by lifting it from one corner. This trick comes in handy while moving furniture and large appliances.
Use The Right Lifting Technique
A common mistake people make while lifting heavy objects is using the strength of their hands and arms to pick things. It leads to fatigue of limbs and the back. In worst cases, you can sustain muscle strains, tears and sprains. Thus, here’s the right technique for lifting heavy objects like a pro.
- Stand straight in front of the object and bend down on your knees and feet upright. Keep your legs wide apart.
- Stretch your arm to engulf the object from both sides.
- Ensure there is no space between your chest and the object
- Lift it with the strength of your legs while supporting the items with your stomach.
- Always keep your back straight when lifting objects or putting them down.
While this technique is useful and the right way to handle bulky things, avoid doing it if you have a history of back problems.
Invest in Sliders & A Dolly
Moving sliders and a dolly are a godsend when you want to move huge boxes and other household items like
cheap removalists Brisbane. You can keep a heavy object on the sliders and shift it from one room to another with little effort. Also, with a dolly, you can easily wheel moving boxes, electronics, furniture etc., out of your home to pack the moving truck.
Keep Pathways Clear & Walk Slowly
Before you lift and move heavy objects, ensure the pathways are clear, or you can trip and fall. If you have pets or children, keep them busy with snacks and toys in one room.
Once the pathways are clean, and your loved ones are out of harm’s way, you can lift and
handle heavy objects. Walk slowly and keep your legs apart to maintain your balance and reduce the risk of moving injury. Additionally, keep your knees slightly bent and don’t twist your body.
Get Harnesses for Extra Support
Moving harnesses are perfect for stabilising heavy objects, especially when you are handling them for the first time. You can strap and adjust the length of these harnesses to balance and secure bulky items. Harnesses also come in handy when you are handling items with a partner. Even professional removalists in Brisbane use harnesses to lift and safely move heavy items.
Conclusion
Many things can stress you out during
a house move, and lifting heavy items is one of them. Also, it is better to be ready than risk serious injury trying to move heavy objects. Thus, even if you hire professional removalists in Brisbane, use this guide to prepare for handling bulky items and save yourself a lot of hassle.
