Looking to move during the summer months? Whether you’re relocating to a new neighborhood, new city, or new state, a summer move doesn’t have to be stressful. Grab your moving checklist and keep cool, safe, and stress-free with these 11 tips for moving in the summer!

Schedule Movers Early

Photo via @imperialmovers

Generally, one of the first things you should do after you’ve sold your home or signed a lease is to schedule movers—moving in the summer means you need to take initiative sooner. The best moving companies fill up fast, so start booking movers at least two months before you relocate. Conduct thorough research of available moving companies, estimate your moving truck size, and get quotes from potential movers to find the best moving rates. Summer moves are in high demand, so the earlier you move, the better!

Pack Up Your House Ahead of Time

Photo via @bluebellrelocation

Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing up the house! Avoid any unexpected surprises like forgotten items, or charges for not having your items boxed ahead of time if you’re utilizing professional movers. Make sure to pack the items you use on a regular basis last, so you don’t have to keep unpacking your boxes and delay your moving progress. By packing early, you can also go through your items to decide which are coming with you and which ones you can sell or donate.

Take Care of Your Delicate Belongings

Photo via @your_easy_move

Summer moves mean taking extra care with fragile items to limit heat-related accidents and breakage while loading, transporting, and unloading them. Properly pack glassware and dishware in small, easy-to-handle boxes, and secure them with extra packing material like packing paper, bubble wrap, or styrofoam peanuts to keep these delicate items safe in your parked moving truck. Consider storing artwork in a box that fits the dimensions of the piece and use bubble wrap and packing paper to give it extra padding. Research what electronics may be affected by higher moving temperatures, like computers and some TVs that contain heat-sensitive components. It’s also a good idea to unload fragile artwork, electronics, and other delicate belongings first to avoid any potential damage or mishaps.

Store Perishables in Coolers

Photo via @bblawncyclefitness

To avoid food waste, it’s best to eat as much of your perishable as you can food before moving. But if your move is longer than a quick drive across town, you’ll need to prioritize storing these food items in insulated, ice-filled coolers. Follow the two-hour rule, and keep these perishables cool with fresh ice—otherwise, they could grow bacteria or go bad. Not only can this be expensive to replace, but it can also lead to potential food poisoning down the line if you choose to chance it. If you have non-perishable food items like canned goods, you can place these items in a box, as these don’t need to be kept cool.

Check the Weather

Photo via @missautumn11

Weather changes can develop quickly and may require you to adjust your summer moving plan, so be sure to regularly check with your local news station, future news station, and the heat index while you move. If you’re passing through or moving to the South or Midwest, watch out for severe storms with hail, rain, or high winds that can develop into tornadoes—especially in Tornado Alley. Keep an eye out for dust devils, monsoon forecasts, wildfires and smoke, and dangerous temperatures if you’re moving to the Southwest or West Coast. For those living on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest, watch out for heavy rainstorms—those in the Southeast should do the same, but prepare for extreme humidity and potential flooding to follow. If rain is in the forecast, bring towels, drying rags, floor foam, and tarps to keep everyone and your belongings as dry as possible while loading or unloading your moving truck!

Move in the Morning

Photo via @autogutter

Though summer temps vary across regions, it’s a good idea to prioritize staying safe and cool. Avoid the midday heat by having movers arrive early in the morning. Keep your vehicles cool by using a dash cover to reflect heat away from the interior of your car. Throw blankets over leather or vinyl seats to help protect people riding in your vehicle, and cover your steering wheel with a hand towel to avoid burning your hands. Or if you have a shady tree where you’re loading up your belongings, park your car under it!

Take Care of Kids, Pets, & Plants

Photo via @byolivialee

Are you moving with kids and pets? With a home full of boxes and tons of commotion, it’s important to make sure your children and pets are safe. Avoid summer heat exhaustion and have friends or family take care of any pets or kids during your summer move. You can also bring your pet to pet daycare during the move. If you’re moving aquarium-dwelling pets or houseplants, consider transporting them separately and putting them in your new home ahead of time to avoid long periods in a car cabin or moving truck. Avoid too much movement or temperature changes while transporting your plants—otherwise they could go into shock, or get sunburnt if left in the hot sun.

Wear Season-Appropriate Clothing

Photo via @danielle_hanusek

Moving in the summer is hot, so wear light-colored athletic clothing that will keep you cool while letting you move around comfortably. Or go for loose-fitting clothes in light materials, like linen. If you’re moving on a sunny day, be sure to wear sunglasses, long sleeve shirt, a hat, or visor to help keep the sun off your skin and out of your eyes. The one exception to this is shoes—for your safety, it’s best to wear secure, closed-toed shoes to support your feet and keep them protected from boxes, rocks, sticks, and broken pieces of plastic or glass.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Photo via @whoawaitwalmart

Moving on a summer day means the sun will be out and shining bright, so stay smart and protect yourself against the sun. Help prevent sunburns by regularly applying sunscreen—especially when the sun’s UV rays are strongest. Wondering what type of sunscreen to use on moving day? Since you’ll be in and out of the sunshine, use sunscreen that has a broad spectrum, with a 50 SPF, or sunblock. Your sunscreen should also be waterproof to withstand sweat. As you apply sunscreen, try to cover any visible skin, and ask for help when putting it on in hard-to-reach spots!

Watch Out For Heat Exhaustion

Photo via @ecpcwake

When moving during the summer months, it’s important to watch out for heat exhaustion. What are the signs of heat exhaustion? Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion usually include headache, heavy sweating, dizziness, and nausea. In cases of severe heat exhaustion or if it develops into heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately. To keep you and your movers safe from heat-related illnesses, supply bottled water, sports drinks, and electrolyte drink mixes to keep everyone well hydrated. Keep cold towels, wipes, box fans, and spray bottles on hand for quick cool-downs.

Turn On the AC at Your New Home

Photo via @comfort_central_hvac

The day before moving into your new home, consider turning on the AC to have it cool during your unloading process. If it’s not possible to turn on the AC in advance, turn it on once you get there. After all, you’ll want to stay cool after you’re done moving objects inside, too! Additionally, consider placing portable fans near the entrances and in the garage to keep everyone cool and comfortable while unloading. Keep your lights off, shades down, and doors shut as much as possible to help create a cool, comfortable environment to unpack in your new home!

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