Moving Day Safety Tips: Prevent Injuries & Damage
Personal Safety on Moving Day
Moving day sends thousands of Canadians to the ER every year with sprains, fractures, and cuts. Wear closed-toe shoes with non-slip soles — never flip-flops or sandals. Use work gloves to protect your hands from sharp box edges and splinters. If you're carrying items down Montreal's notoriously steep outdoor staircases, take it slow and ensure each step is clear of ice, leaves, or debris.
Stay hydrated, especially during Montreal's humid summer moves. Heat exhaustion sneaks up fast when you're hauling boxes in 30-degree weather. Take breaks every 30 minutes, drink water, and eat a proper lunch. Never carry more than you can comfortably handle — an extra trip is always better than a trip to the hospital.
Keeping Children and Pets Safe
Moving day is chaotic, and open doors, heavy boxes, and sharp tools create real hazards for kids and animals. Arrange for children and pets to stay with a friend, family member, or daycare for the day. If that's not possible, designate one room as a "safe zone" that stays closed and off-limits to movers.
Keep cleaning products, box cutters, packing tape dispensers, and small hardware (screws, nails) out of children's reach at all times. Secure any leaning furniture or mirrors against walls so they can't topple. Brief your movers on where children and pets are located so everyone stays aware.
Preventing Property Damage During the Move
Protect your floors with moving blankets or cardboard runners, especially on hardwood. Use door frame protectors to prevent dings from large furniture. In Montreal apartments, damage to common areas — hallways, elevators, lobby walls — can result in charges from your building's management, so pad everything.
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Wrap furniture corners with foam or blankets and secure drawers with stretch wrap so they don't fly open in transit. Disassemble what you can — removing table legs and bed frames makes items lighter and less likely to cause damage. Check your lease for any building-specific moving rules, as many Montreal condos require elevator reservations and specific moving hours.
