Moving is hard enough without a global pandemic putting a wrench in your plans. Yet sometimes you can’t avoid it. With Riverside County’s purple risk level, you may have concerns for your safety while moving. Here is all you need to know about how to stay safe while moving during COVID-19.
Moving Services vs. Doing It Yourself
Moving can be a hassle, and it’s hard to know whether you should hire a moving service or rent a truck to do it yourself. You may be asking yourself if moving services are even an option during the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, moving services in Southern California are open for business.
If you are considering using a moving company, make sure to ask what precautions they have put in place. Are they requiring their employees to wear a mask and social distance? Can they do a virtual in-home quote to limit in-person contact? If these services are available, this may be a great option for you.
If you still worry about moving services coming into your home, renting a moving truck may be right for you. Many moving truck services in Southern California are taking extra measures for your safety. These include making reservations online and increasing sanitation. These measures help to keep you and your family safe.
Preparing to Move
If you have moved before, you most likely have the whole process down. But moving during COVID-19 may cause you to adjust your process. Thinking about getting a bunch of used cardboard boxes from a friend? One study found that COVID can stay on cardboard boxes for up to a day! Stay safer by sticking with boxes you already have and buy any extras you may need.
Keeping your home and possessions as clean as possible is very important. Wipe down all your high-touch surfaces often, such as cell phones and door handles. While packing, make sure to disinfect your possessions before putting them in a box. Keeping everything clean helps you and any movers to stay safe.
If you are using a moving service, make sure to have your boxes all packed at least 24 hours before moving day. This will help to reduce the risk of spreading the disease to the movers.
Moving Day
On moving day, make sure to keep everything nice and sanitized. This is especially important if you have movers coming into your home. This means both you and the movers wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and social distance. It’s a good idea to ask your movers to frequently wash their hands as well. Don’t forget to keep one bathroom open for the movers to use, complete with soap and hand sanitizer. Though it may be tempting to help the movers, it’s best to let them take care of it.
After the Move
Though it may be tempting to immediately settle in and unpack once you get to your new home, you may want to clean first. Who knows if the person living there before did a great job disinfecting and cleaning? It’s better to be safe than sorry. After that, if you’ve already sanitized your belongings before moving, you are all set!
Moving during COVID-19 can be challenging when it comes to keeping you and your loved ones safe. But by adjusting your process, cleaning, and social distancing, your move can be a success!