Quick! Tell me the best time of the year to move! Chances are that the first answer that popped into your mind was “the summer”. And why wouldn’t it? The summer is a fantastic time for moving. It’s warm; spending a lot of time outside isn’t a chore; you don’t have to contend with the weather; the kids are out of school; and it is easier to get help from your friends. Ideally, everyone would move in the summer! Unfortunately, life often gets in the way of ideal situations; especially if you live in a location where there is snow and ice for five months of the year. We don’t always have the luxury of picking the time of year when we move. Situations (job, school, family additions) will sometimes pick it for us. Winter moving is not easy, but it doesn’t have to be an icy nightmare. Planning and preparation will go far. Let’s take a look at the Winter Moving Survival Guide:
Check the Weather
The climate is going to be your biggest challenge. It can change everything. In December 2013, Toronto was hit with an ice storm that crippled the city for days. Ottawa faced a similar storm in 1998. There are dozens of smaller storms every year. An incoming snow storm may make it unsafe for the moving trucks to be on the road. If switching moving days is not an option, at the very least, you can plan for the storm. So right up to the last moment, be sure to be checking the weather.
Clear the Snow and Ice
More than 30,000 Canadians went to the hospital after slipping on ice in between 2005-2016[1]. In all likelihood, tens of thousands of more people slipped and it was never reported. It has happened to all of us. Now, imagine slipping while carrying a heavy bed frame. Safety is priority on moving day. Clear all of the snow from the steps and the walkway and salt the ice. Don’t start any moving until you are sure it is cleared. Keep a constant watch to make sure no new ice accumulates. Don’t forget to do it at the new place too.
Dress Warmly
Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather; dress in layers. Your winter gloves and boots should be warm, but not too bulky. Keep plenty of extra warm clothing and blankets handy in case you need them. Remember to keep your head covered; you will retain more body heat.
Turn Off the Furnace (At Both Places)
This may sound contradictory to the previous entry, but with people constantly going in and out of the house, the furnace is going to be working for nothing. It will just be a waste of money and energy. That being said – set up a few electronic space heaters where people can stand if they need to quickly warm up.
Protect Your Electronics
Delicate electronics don’t like the cold. If the weather is really frigid, your electronic items may be damaged. Wrap your electronics in moving blankets to keep them warm; try and get them into the new place as soon as possible where you can place them near a space heater.
No Children or Pets
Find a place to board your pets during the winter move. The cold will be pretty miserable for them. If your children are older, they can probably help out with the move. But, smaller children are not going to enjoy the move if it is cold. As well, it can be dangerous for them and adds a distraction for you. If possible, find a babysitter on moving day.
Have a Back-Up Plan
Don’t leave anything to chance; more things can go wrong during a winter move. Always have a back-up plan for everything.
Winter moving requires experience, knowledge, and skill. Only the best can do it right. That is why you need Best Canadian Movers. Fully bonded, insured, and licensed, Best Canadian Movers has been serving Burlington, Brampton, Richmond Hill, and the entire Greater Toronto Area for over twenty years. Snow, ice, cold; we have seen it all and have moved in it all. With Best Canadian Movers, you will get exactly what we promise, regardless of the weather. Contact us today for an estimate!