Tips for Moving During the Winter Season

Moving in the winter months can present a unique set of challenges that can cause additional stress during an already difficult time. According to the region you live in, you may have to deal with below freezing temperatures, ice, snow, and wind. Moving in the winter season may require more preparation than moving during other times of the year, but it is not impossible. Take a look at some of our winter moving tips that we hope will help you as you get ready for your upcoming move.

Prepare thoroughly

If you live in an area that gets frequent snow and ice, you probably already have most of the supplies that you will need. You will want to make sure you have snow shovels and salt to ensure you can keep all walkways and the driveway clear of snow and ice. Weather can be fairly unpredictable but try to plan your move on a day where conditions are more suitable. If you are moving from a warmer climate to a colder one during the Winter seasons, do some research on the area to see what kind of clothing you will need to purchase, yard tools, car maintenance that needs to be done, etc.

Protect the floors and yourself

Whether you have helpers or not, you should lay down cardboard or rugs in order to protect your flooring from the people going in and out. If the ground is wet due to snow or ice, you are going to have people leaving tracks in the house or have nasty slick spots that can lead to injuries. If you have something laid on the high-traffic areas, especially around the doors, you can protect your carpet or hardwoods.

Get started early and plan for shorter days

We don’t get as many hours of daylight in the winter season, so you will need to plan your moving days around that. Try to get started early when the sun comes up, so you don’t find yourself working in freezing temperatures and in the dark. Any weather app can tell you the approximate time of sunrise and sunset so you can better plan your moving days. While the mornings can be bitterly cold at times, it is better to work early in the morning sunlight than in the dark.

Stay warm

Hypothermia can be a real threat in some areas of the country. Be sure that you and anyone helping you move is dressed in appropriate clothing and that everyone is taking breaks from being outside and has a heated area they can go to warm up. Keep some warm beverages on hand—coffee, tea, hot cocoa—for an extra warming boost. Also make sure your utilities will be on by the time you arrive at your new home. If your home has no heat, your move can go downhill very fast.

Take your time and use caution

Moving is hard work and people tend to go as fast as they can to get it done and to meet deadlines and time restraints. But if you are moving during freezing temperatures with snow and ice on the ground, you need to slow down a little in order to move safely. If you were to slip and fall on the ice, you could seriously injure yourself. We also recommend using caution when you are driving and if conditions get bad to delay your move until you can do it safely. As the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry!

We here at 1-800-PACK-RAT want to be the best moving and storage company and partner for any upcoming moving and/or storage event you might have. Whether you are moving local or long-distance, or just need temporary on-site or long-term warehouse storage, our portable storage containers are perfect for any needs you might have. The process is very simple: give us a call or place your order online, we deliver your container to your door where you pack at your pace, then call us when you need the container redelivered to your new address or stored in one of our nationwide facilities. It’s that easy!

1-800-PACK-RAT also has a number of resources available to you to help make your move simple. From moving supplies such as boxes, moving blankets and more that can be delivered to your doorstep, to auto shipping services, how to guides for moving including how to pack your portable storage container, to space calculators, and much more! We are your one-stop shop for all things moving and storage related. Give us a call today or go online to see how 1-800-PACK-RAT can make moving and storage simple for you this Winter!