Moving during summer is the most common time when families, professionals, and retirees decide to relocate. Use these tips to stay cool! The kids are out of school, the days are longer, and you won't have to deal with rainy days or icy roads. If you're moving during this time of year, it's especially important to plan for ways to stay cool (hydrated), organized, and energized with plenty of water and healthy snacks.
We understand that moving is one of the most stressful life events, and moving in the summer presents unique challenges. Still, with careful planning and these heat-beating tips, you can ensure a smoother transition for everyone on moving day.
Start Early & Stay Cool If You’re Moving During Summer
Launching your summer move with a well-thought-out plan is the best way to stay cool by beating the peak heat hours. In most regions of the country, the hottest part of the day typically occurs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during summer months. It’s not unusual for temps to continue to rise into the late afternoon. By packing and loading your moving truck or trailer early in the day, you can make the most of the cooler morning temperatures and lighter traffic. If you're hiring a professional company during the summer, they'll most likely book your move first thing in the morning for all the same reasons.
Tips To Keep Your Moving Crew Hydrated
The best summer tip is to keep your volunteer moving crew hydrated and well-fed to motivate them to hang in until the last box is unloaded. Moreover, the comfort and safety of your friends and family is paramount. Start by stocking up on plenty of cold water and sports drinks in a cooler filled with ice for easy access. Besides Gatorade, there's a wide selection of electrolyte drinks on the market today. Alternatively, you can encourage everyone to bring their reusable water bottles and provide electrolyte powder packets. Either way, ensure frequent hydration breaks, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Another pro tip is picking up some sliced watermelon at the store and keeping fruit like bananas, apples, and nut butter on hand so everyone stays hydrated and energized between meals. On sweltering and humid moving days, create a shaded area with fans and large plastic spray bottles filled with water. This will provide a cool spot for breaks, ensuring your crew stays as comfortable as possible and ready to tackle the move.
Gift Cooling Gear To Your Moving Crew
Cooling gear and clothing are designed to help regulate body temperature, provide relief from the heat, and significantly improve comfort and safety during hot summer activities, including moving.
Cooling Vests: These vests are designed with gel packs that can be chilled in the freezer and materials that absorb heat to provide a cooling effect for several hours.
Cooling Towels: Made from evaporative materials, cooling towels are soaked in water, wrung out, and then placed around your neck or over the head.
Cooling Hats: Hats with built-in cooling technology, such as moisture-wicking fabrics or cooling inserts, can help keep the head cool and reduce the risk of overheating.
Moisture-Wicking Clothing: Athletic wear made from moisture-wicking fabrics pulls sweat away from the body, allowing it to evaporate more quickly, which keeps you cooler.
Cooling Bandanas and Neck Wraps: Similar to cooling towels, these are smaller and can be worn around the neck or forehead to provide targeted cooling.
Portable Fans: Small, battery-operated fans can be clipped onto clothing or held in hand to provide a constant breeze and help with cooling.
Cooling Insoles: Designed for shoes, these insoles help keep feet cool and comfortable during hot weather. Consider gifting one of these items to each member of your friends and family moving crew. It will motivate them to stay until the end of the day and show your appreciation with a gift that will keep giving throughout the summer.
Don't Forget the Sunscreen
With so much on your mind, it could be easy to forget to apply sunscreen. We tend to think of moving as an indoor activity. In reality, people spend about as much time outdoors driving and unloading the moving truck as we do indoors when moving. Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. The best way to dress for success during your summer move is to avoid dark-colored clothing that absorbs the heat—light-colored clothing may get dirty faster but will keep you significantly cooler. Lastly, don't forget a hat and sunglasses!
Monitor Your Pets
Pets are especially vulnerable to heat, so monitoring them closely during a summer move is essential. Make sure they have plenty of water and a cool place to rest. Keep pets in a cool, shaded area or inside an air-conditioned room while loading and unloading. For long-distance moves, Make sure your pet carrier is cozy and big enough for your pet to feel comfortable—well-ventilated, sturdy, and spacious enough for your furry friend to be able to turn around and stretch out.
Protect Your Belongings From Heat and Humidity
If there's a gap between moving out of your current home and moving into your new one, you'll want climate-controlled storage to keep your belongings from being exposed to severe temperature swings. Going this route will reduce the stress of the transition by giving you peace of mind that your valuables are well-protected during hot and humid weather.
Temperature-sensitive items include electronics like computers and TVs, wooden furniture that could warp or crack, essential documents and photographs, musical instruments, and clothing. Using climate-controlled storage ensures these items are protected from extreme heat and humidity swings, which can cause extra wear and even damage to the things you value.
By staying organized and following these heat-beating tips, you can plan a successful move despite the summer heat.
Climate-Controlled Storage Designed For Your Summer Move
StorQuest Climate-Controlled Storage provides a reliable environment for your belongings during the hot summer months. Our climate-controlled units are designed to maintain constant temperature and humidity levels that protect your items from damage caused by extreme heat and humidity.
If you're trying to decide if climate control is right for you, give us a call. StorQuest has locations across the United States that offer a wide range of features, including climate control, drive-up units, lockers, large personal units, and parking for RVs, boats, and cars.