How to Keep Your Cool During a Summer Move

With Independence Day in the rear-view mirror, summer moving season is in full swing. Kids are out of school, the weather is nice, and home buying season is at its hectic peak.

If you’re among 17 to 20 million folks who will pack up and move this summer, here are some tips to keep your move as stress-free as possible. At Herlihy Moving & Storage, we’ve handled summer moves for 97 years and are happy to share our experience.

Plan. Plan. Plan.

Begin organizing as soon as you know you’re moving.  Moving companies book up quickly in the summer months. Start out by getting estimates for your preferred dates. Two months out is not too soon to book a mover!

If you can, move on a weekday in the middle of the month, when movers have more availability. Avoid weekends, the beginning or end of the month, and holidays when movers are often booked up.

Also, decide who’ll be doing the packing. If you’re packing yourself, you’ll need to buy boxes and other materials and get organized. Most people will need to start packing a few weeks ahead of the move or set aside a lot of time the days before the move.

Prepare Your Belongings for the Heat

Hot weather is a threat to candles, CDs, DVDs and other belongings. Candles can melt and damage nearby items, while CDs, DVDs and other electronics can warp. Make sure to wrap these items thoroughly and pack them in special boxes. You may want to keep them in your air-conditioned car and unload them first. If you have a large number of heat-sensitive items that will be going on a long-distance move, you might want to request climate-controlled service from your mover.

Drink Up and Cool Down

Physical exertion in hot weather can lead to dehydration and heat stroke. Stay hydrated by keeping water or sports drinks on hand. To keep cool, dress appropriately for the heat and turn on air conditioning or fans. This will make the move more pleasant for everyone involved.

Protect Kids and Fur Babies

Heat is especially stressful for small bodies, and it’s tough to keep kids entertained while you’re supervising a move. If possible, arrange for a babysitter or send kids to a friend’s house. Don’t forget the drinks and sunscreen!

Summertime moving is also challenging for the furry members of the family. With so many open doors and gates, they might be tempted to make a break for the great outdoors. They also are vulnerable to dehydration and heat stroke. It’s a good idea to send pets to a kennel or a friend’s house while trucks are being loaded and unloaded. You can also keep them in a room with a door that will be kept closed. During the move, make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water. A visit to a groomer before the move can help keep long-haired pets cool by thinning their dense undercoat.

Thinking about a summer move? Give us a call at 614.871.4040 for Columbus and its suburbs, 740.775.6683 for Chillicothe and surrounding counties or 740.698.0033 for Athens and southern Ohio. Or fill out our free estimate form.