- Failing to ask movers how they are mitigating Coronavirus health risks
Planning to hire a moving company to handle the relocation? If so, be sure to ask what steps are being taken by the company to mitigate Coronavirus health risks. According to the CDC, the virus spreads mainly through person-to-person contact and can even be spread by people who are asymptomatic. For this reason, it’s important to ask your movers what kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) they plan to wear (if any). You should also ask about other preventative practices they are currently employing to protect themselves and customers on a day-to-day-basis. - Not wearing masks, gloves and proper PPE
Whether you’re hiring movers or moving yourself, don’t forget to wear protective gear when moving during the Coronavirus pandemic. Examples of proper protective equipment that you can wear while moving include cloth masks, gloves and shoe coverings. This gear will help prevent you from bringing the virus into your home. In addition to wearing PPE, be sure to keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet between yourself and the movers. - Forgetting to offer handwash and hand sanitizer on moving day
Washing and disinfecting hands is the single best way to prevent spreading a viral infection. So don’t forget to have handwash and a roll of paper towels by the bathroom and kitchen sinks for you and your moving crew. According to the CDC, hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds. When moving to a new home, it’s also a good idea to provide hand sanitizer for anyone who enters the home. Ask movers to sanitize hands before touching high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, stair railings, sink handles and your boxes. - Not asking for a virtual survey
Looking to get a moving quote from a professional moving company? Ask if the mover can perform a virtual survey of your belongings as opposed to an in-person survey. In the age of social distancing, you want to avoid having people inside your home as much as humanly possible. Most movers should be able to accommodate this request. Virtual surveys could take the form of a live walkthrough of the home via FaceTime, a pre-recorded video of your belongings or a compilation of photos of household items that you send to the movers. Virtual surveys provide a safe alternative to a home inspection while also meeting social distancing best practices. - Borrowing moving boxes and supplies from other people
Unfortunately, Coronavirus can remain viable on surfaces, including cardboard boxes, for days. Suffice to say that now is not the time to borrow moving boxes and supplies from friends and neighbors. Avoid seeking out used boxes from online marketplaces as well. Not sure where to find unused moving supplies? Here’s our list of places where you can find brand new moving boxes and supplies while quarantined. - Not sanitizing your moving truck rental before driving it
In our opinion, you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your health during the Coronavirus pandemic. If you plan to rent a moving truck for a DIY move, we recommend sanitizing door handles, the steering wheel, seatbelt, seat and other parts of the moving truck cab, where you will be spending a good deal of your time. You should also ask the moving truck rental company whether or not the trucks have been cleaned and sanitized before pick-up. - Forgetting to disinfect after the move
Once the movers have left, and/or you are finished unloading all of the boxes, be sure to disinfect all high-touch surfaces in the home, wipe down cardboard boxes and disinfect countertops and surfaces. We also recommend doing a deep clean of the home before unpacking to lessen the risk of contracting Coronavirus. From mopping the floors with soapy water to replacing dirty air duct filters with clean ones, doing a deep clean of the home is the best way to kill germs and viruses living on surfaces and in the air. - Not asking about the truck rental company’s best practices
Planning to rent a moving truck for a DIY move? Make sure to ask a representative (or check the website) for information about the truck rental company’s best practices during Coronavirus. For instance, according to U-Haul’s website, the truck rental company has “intensified” their sanitization of equipment and stores. U-Haul also offers “contactless products and services, such as Truck Share 24/7, Online Check-In, U-Box container home delivery and direct shipping of supplies.” - Greeting new neighbors with gifts or baked goods
Looking to meet the neighbors? When introducing yourself to new neighbors, keep in mind that you should still practice social distancing (read: maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and the neighbor). A simple “hello” from the sidewalk should be sufficient. Avoid bringing gifts or baked goods. After all, your new neighbors could fall into the high-risk category due to their age or a pre-existing health condition. Also, keep in mind that if your local community issues a “shelter in place” order, it’s probably better to wait to meet neighbors until the order has been lifted. - Not delaying your move if you feel sick
Starting to feel sick? If your body begins developing symptoms of Coronavirus (read: shortness of breath, cough, chills, sore throat, etc), then quarantining yourself from others is the best way to avoid spreading the sickness to others. If you planned to hire movers, we recommend delaying the move (if possible) to avoid coming in contact with other people.
