Many of our customers use our self-storage facility to keep their larger and heavier items. Whether it’s a piece of furniture, or a box full of hardback books, moving a heavy object requires care, attention, and the right technique. If you try to lift something from the floor by brute force, you are likely to pull a muscle in your back or cause some other injury to that part of your body.
As professional removals and storage specialists, we know a thing or two about lifting heavy objects. These are just some of the things you should consider when moving your heavier items into storage.
Know Your Limits
Before you even attempt the lift, ask yourself: “can I really do this?” If an item feels heavy when moving it across the floor, think how heavy it is when you’re lifting it. If you need help – either from another person, or a specialist piece of equipment – now’s the time to get it.
Plan Ahead
There’s more to moving a heavy item than lifting it. Once you’re holding it, you need to get it to where it needs to go. Make sure the path between the two points is clear of tripping hazards and measure up doors to make sure you can get through with the item. If it’s a long distance (and it will feel longer with a heavy load in your hands), is there somewhere midway that you can put the item down for a breather?
Adopt a stable position
Balance is essential when lifting heavy objects, so make sure your pose is stable. Keep your feet slightly apart, with one leg slightly in front of the other.
Lower yourself to the item
You should bend at the knees, not the waist. Your legs are among your most powerful muscles groups and will provide much for effective at lifting a heavy load.
Get a grip
If you can, hug the item close to your body, wrapping your arms around it. This provides a much more solid grasp on the object, as opposed to holding with your hands alone.
Raise yourself, carefully
Raise yourself into a standing position, using your leg muscles. Do not twist or turn while doing so, as you could pull a muscle.
Walk to your destination
If you need to change direction to reach your destination, stop and turn with your feet until you can move straight on again. The goal is to keep your shoulders facing front at all times. Look ahead, not down, and move smoothly, supporting the load.
Sensible Adjustments
If you need to adjust the load, don’t try and do it in your arms. Lower it carefully to the floor (again, using your leg muscles for support), before changing your position or grip.
Of course, the easiest way to put your heavier belongings into storage, is to have someone else handle the heavy lifting for you. At MIGHTY Self Storage, our team of experience removal specialists are happy to collect and transport your items direct to our storage facility. All our staff have undergone full manual handling training and can be relied upon to get your items from your home to our storage unit safely.
Call MIGHTY Self Storage today on 0116 3653001 to see what we can do for you, or to get a free, no-obligation quote for our services.
