The joyful cries of children are surpassed only by the skiers and snowboarders as they all look out to see 24 centimeters of fresh white powder. Your cries are not joyful though. Your calendar does not say, “Snow Day.” Your calendar says, “Moving Day.”
Although winter isn’t always the most popular time to move, the old adage “the show must go on” also applies to moving day. There’s an advantage to moving in the winter – there is less competition for movers and moving trucks so prices are often lower. There are also downsides – the potential for blizzards and black ice on your moving day.
So if there’s a ton of snow on your Moving Day, and you hired us, relax. We’re Two Men And A Truck CANADA. Just sit back in your favourite chair, sip on some Timmies, and we’ll take care of the rest.
If you’re moving yourself, here are some tips to help you weather the storm. Our professional movers and truck drivers have been dealing with blizzards and storms for years. We asked them for some of their best tips on maneuvering on a snow day, whether you’re moving house or just trying to get from point A to point B.
1) Watch the weather. If there is a storm warning, make sure to keep a close eye on the weather forecast. You don’t want to be caught outside right in the middle of a storm. Remember: the sun sets a lot earlier in the winter, and even more so with stormy clouds covering the sky.
2) Just stay inside. If possible, don’t even try going outside during a strong blizzard. Putting off your moving day until the storm ends is one option. If it’s not moving day for you, then keep the kids home from school and work from home if you can. There’s no need to risk going outside in a storm if you don’t absolutely have to.
3) Be prepared. If you do need to venture outside for any reason, make sure to put together an emergency kit for your car. Includes matches, flashlights, food, bottled water, blankets, etc. Bring along extra shovels and window ice scrapers in case you get snowed in.
4) Shovel a path. Sure, driving on icy roads during the winter can be hazardous, but you know what’s even more dangerous? Slipping on the ice in your driveway and cracking your skull open. It happens far too often. Use lots of pavement salt, and make sure the path is clear before you even get into the car.
5) Check your vehicle. Make sure your car or truck is properly maintained and serviced. You want to make sure there’s enough gas in the tank and that the pressure in your tires is up to standards. Before getting into our moving trucks, our drivers do a full 360° check on all vehicles.
6) Keep warm. Always wear proper winter weather clothing including winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and, if you’re bringing the kids along, snowpants. Gloves are one of the most important pieces of winter clothing to wear if you’re going to be driving, as you’ll want to keep your hands from getting too stiff in the cold.
7) Keep towels nearby. You’ll need to wipe off moving boxes, hand trucks, and yourself, as you move in and out of the house. Place carpet runners or (a lot) towels in halls and stairs to keep the house clean. If you are using towels to keep carpet clean, you will have to swap them out often, so make sure you have a lot on hand.
8) Slow down. You definitely don’t want to be rushing on the road during a blizzard. Take into account your slower speed when calculating how much time it will take to get where you’re going. Follow the traffic and go at a slow easy pace. The last thing you want is an accident on the road.
With the cold, ice and snow, no one wants to go outside during a terrible winter storm, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If you follow these precautions, you’ll be more likely to arrive at your destination safe and sound.