Yacht Charter Tips

Guide to Moving in the Heat - How to Stay Safe while Packing the Moving Truck Rental

While most people love the summer months and the warmth of the bright sun, over exerting oneself during a move can be dangerous in extremely high temperatures. Carrying heavy boxes and furniture and loading your home’s content onto a moving truck rental can not only be tiring but can also cause heat stroke, sun stroke, heat exhaustion and other illnesses if one is not careful and take precautions.

Common sense really prevails when working in the heat and sun but many times we are under pressure to complete the move on a deadline and we forget important tips such as those in the following list. When loading and off-loading your truck rental on moving day, it is important to heed these cautions.

1. Wear sunscreen to protect the skin from severe burning. The nose, ears and shoulders are particularly sensitive so be generous in applying the cream. Sunscreen wears off so after you have cooled yourself down with a splash under the hose or when sweating profusely, apply another coat.

2. Cover the head to avoid sunstroke and sunburn on the scalp. Whether you use a cap or wet towel, any protection over the head will keep the sun’s rays off.

3. Pace yourself to avoid heat exhaustion. Do not expect to load the truck rental all at once. Take breaks and set reasonable goals. If you have only packed a small portion of the truck rental but feel tired, stop and rest. Get out of the cargo area of the truck rental and find a shady cooler spot to rest. Felling dizziness or nausea is a sign to take a break away from the truck rental.

4. Drink plenty of water. Keep cooled water in the back of the truck rental with you while you are loading everything into the truck rental. When you are off-loading the moving truck rental, stop for a drink while you place the boxes in the house.

5. Liquids other than water should be taken in moderation because of the sugar content. Absolutely do not drink alcohol while loading, driving or off-loading the truck rental. Aside from the fact that drinking and driving the truck rental is an offence, the alcohol will cause serious problems in the heat and will not replenish your body.

6. The cargo area of the truck rental will be very hot. It will be hotter inside the truck rental than outside and there will be little if no air circulation. Take a rest periodically to get some fresh air.

7. If moving to a higher altitude in the heat, work slowly in the truck rental as you get accustomed to the air pressure.

8. Dress lightly but safely. For example, wear running shoes not flip-flops. Running shoes will help protect your feet if anything falls on them in the moving truck rental. Also pushing a truck rental dolly will be more comfortable with closed shoes as opposed to open sandals.

9. Make sure the truck rental has enough coolant to prevent over heating. Hopefully the truck rental agency will have installed the correct thermostat for high heat temperatures.

10. If travelling with the moving truck rental through hills and mountains during the heat, go slowly because of the extra work on the truck rental motor. The weight of the truck rental coupled with the heat may cause over-heating of the truck rental.

11. Before leaving the moving truck rental lot, make sure the air conditioning works in the cab of the truck rental.

12. Rest in the shade. While loading and off-loading the truck rental, set up a canopy or temporary gazebo to rest in the shade.

13. Wear loose fitting clothing, as it will be more comfortable. Also, wear materials that allow the skin to breathe and perspire.

14. If feasible, erect a shelter or awning at the back of moving truck rental to keep the sun off the work area. The shelter could actually cover the truck rental ramp keeping the area cooler.

15. When possible, pack the moving truck rental when the sun has gone down. Even if the hot temperatures remain, it will be cooler when the sun’s rays have gown down for the night. The relief from the constant burning of the sun will help you to pack the truck rental more efficiently.

16. Keep animals indoors in an air-conditioned or well-cooled area until ready to leave with the moving truck rental.

17. Animals do not travel in the cargo area of the moving truck rental. Provide plenty of water while driving in the truck rental.

18. NEVER leave pets and children in the cab of the truck rental or any other vehicle even for a minutes in the heat. The temperature will rise quickly inside the truck rental and pets and children can die from the heat.

Smog and pollution are health risks in themselves but add them to extreme heat and it becomes a deadly combination. The combination makes it almost impossible to breathe and exerting the body to carry heavy loads to and from the moving truck rental will make the breathing even more strained to the point of possible collapse. Listen to the weather advisory channels and heed caution when smog, pollution and heat are high. Be prepared while packing the moving truck rental and expect that the job will take longer than normal. If necessary, reserve the truck rental for an extra day so that you are not pushing to complete the move so quickly that you make yourself sick.

Allergies and asthma are other health issues that need to be addressed when loading the moving truck rental. Again, breathing is a problem but some people will need medication to control the allergy or asthma attack. Keep your inhaler with you at all times while packing the truck rental. Take breaks more often than normal. If antihistamine is used, keep it on your person while organizing the truck rental. The key is to recognize that the symptoms are worse in the heat.

Lastly, in addition to the high altitude conditions, humidity will play a role in sickness while making your moving truck rental move. Humidity makes it feel like it is hotter. It is more difficult to work in the humidity because your body and clothes always feel like they are wet. Humidity is stifling. Cool down regularly while packing the truck rental by splashing your body with the water from the garden hose. Keeping a bucket of ice chips and putting them in your mouth will help as well to keep your body