One of the most common causes of injury while moving is lifting heavy furniture using poor technique.

Many of these injuries occur when homeowners try to take on the task of lifting heavy couches, televisions and bookcases without concentrating on their forum. For those about to begin the house moving process, it’s important to understand the leading lifting methods. This blog will focus on the leading furniture lifting techniques used by the professionals.

Think Before You Lift

Remember that lifting is a process. It’s important to go over that process in your mind and with any fellow movers before you begin to lift. Go over where you will be placing the object and what the optimal techniques are for lifting it. Review your path to ensure there are no obstructions and analyze the item you’ll be lifting for sharp areas that could cut your hand when lifting.

Keep Objects below Waist Level When Possible

While you and your moving team might be required to lift heavy objectives above a barrier in the home, it’s important to only lift items up-to your waist when possible. Even if items are relatively light and easy to carry, you can cause damage to the muscles in your back when repeatedly lifting and carrying items. If the weight isn’t properly distributed during the lifting process, you may tweak a muscle.

Stand with your Feet Shoulder Length Apart

Weight distribution is a critical element when lifting heavy items. Keep your feet shoulder length apart so that the item’s weight is distributed across your body, rather than putting pressure on one area. This will help prevent damage to shoulders and knees as you lift larger items.

Get Close to the Object When Lifting in Teams

It’s important you don’t put too much stress on your arms and hands. Try to maintain a close distance to the object you’re lifting to ensure that your body is taking the strain of the weight, rather than your limbs.

When beginning to lift, you should always bend your knees and use the leverage of your knees to lift the object. This will prevent you from injuring your back muscles during the move.

The lifting process should be carefully considered as you plan and carry out your home move. Take the time to discuss the optimal lifting techniques with everyone involved in the project. This will help reduce injury and save you time during the move. To discuss moving techniques with an expert, contact our specialists today!