Moving in the middle of a pandemic isn’t something you plan, but sometimes it’s necessary. Perhaps you’re relocating a few hours south of Venice for a job, downsizing to live with relatives, or found a real estate deal you simply can’t pass up. Whatever the case is, your health and safety must remain a priority. Although several things need to get done before, during, and after a move, here are a few more tasks to keep in mind.
Give Yourself Time
Planning in advance has always been a great moving tip. As there is so much to handle, allotting more time ensures that you can complete the tasks without feeling overwhelmed. During a pandemic, however, there’s another reason you need as much time as possible. From reserving a moving company to having utility services shut on, service providers are spread thin as of late. They have to comply with health and safety regulations during the pandemic, which could result in slower turnaround times and less availability. The further in advance you plan, the easier it will be to get everything you need in a timely manner.
Select Moving Companies Wisely
While finding a great deal on moving services is ideal, the expense should not come before your health and safety. Now, more than ever, you must be careful about the moving company you hire. Consumers should look for more than availability and great prices if they’re going to remain safe during the pandemic. The priority is to select a company that goes above and beyond to ensure their workers and customers are safe.
As you find moving companies in your area, ask about their safety procedures amid the pandemic. Do they wear PPE? Do they temperature check employees? More importantly, what happens if a mover gets sick? If these questions cannot be answered thoroughly, then you should look elsewhere for a moving company.
Be Careful With Recycled Supplies
Typically, grabbing boxes from your office, a restaurant, or even a neighbor would be a great way to save money on a move. In the middle of a pandemic, however, it could put your health at risk. As the coronavirus can live on surfaces for several hours, there’s a possibility that you could expose yourself, your family, and the movers to the virus. It’s best to purchase your own moving supplies. If you prefer to use recycled materials, allow the boxes to remain outdoors for a day or so to kill any virus that may be present before using them.
Practice Social Distancing
On the day of the move, keep everyone safe by practicing social distancing. Put everything in boxes or moving containers, ensure that it’s properly labeled, and place it in an easily accessible space in the home. Then, move out of the way and allow the experts to do their jobs loading and unloading the moving truck. If you do have to socialize with the movers, ensure that you wear a face mask to protect yourself.
Sanitize Your New Place
Before unpacking your belongings and getting settled into your new place, ensure you’ve sanitized everything. If you haven’t done this before your moving date, you might want to have your things placed in storage units San Diego (or the city you’re moving to) and stay at a hotel for the night. This would give you an opportunity to wipe down all hard surfaces with household cleaning products to ensure you’re not exposing anyone to the coronavirus. Then, you can have your belongings moved in the next day. While it will cost a bit more, it’s a lot better than putting the lives of your family at risk.
Whether for a great job opportunity or simply to be closer to loved ones during these uncertain times, moving during a pandemic is a huge undertaking. Although you may not be able to put things off any longer, the moving tips above can take some of the stress and health risks out of relocating in the middle of a national crisis.
