5 Tips to Move Safely During Covid

Millions of Americans have already adapted to life with the Covid pandemic. Social distancing, mask wearing and travel restrictions are the new normal. Home buying is also at a new high, thanks to the need for more space for home offices and home schooling. So how can you move safely during Covid? Check out these 5 simple steps to keep you and your family safe.

1. Move yourself if possible. While it may seem like a daunting task, it is still the safest option. Even if you rent a truck or Uhaul to move your belongings, moving yourself will still keep the amount of contact down.

2. Research moving companies and their Covid practices. Most companies should have a solid plan in place to keep limited contact and exposure for their clients and are willing to share how they are working to keep you safe. Some basic practices include wearing masks at all times, wearing shoe coverings and even wearing gloves. Most will also have extensive testing for their employees such as daily temperature checks.

3. Take extra sanitary precautions. Anytime someone is handling your belongings or entering your home, there are some basic tips to keep exposure down. Wipe down all high touch surfaces with disinfecting wipes. This would include doorknobs and light switches. Covid has been found to live on cardboard surfaces for up to 24 hours, so buy new boxes before you start packing or use one's that you already have in your home. Wipe down all boxes when they enter your home.

4. Be transparent and flexible. If you live in an apartment, townhome or other shared space, make sure to tell your neighbors of the upcoming move. This gives everyone advance notice and the ability to limit their exposure. If someone in your family or in your surrounding area are showing signs and symptoms of Covid, be prepared to delay your move until it is safe.

5. Only move the essentials. Obviously you need your furniture, electronics, clothing, etc. However, moving is a great time to reprioritize what you really need. Have extra shelf stable items that have been sitting in your pantry? Donate them to a local food bank. Not sure what to do with some of the heirlooms and knick knacks that have accumulated over the years? Donate them to your local Salvation Army or Goodwill. This will help out your local community during a time of need and will cut down on the amount of items you are transferring from one home to another.

It may seem like a scary thing to move during the Covid pandemic, but there are safe ways to accomplish it. Monitor the CDC and WHO websites for the latest in preventative measures and safety guidelines.