3 Ways to Be Proactive and Beat the Heat When Moving During the Hot Texas Summers

It does not matter how many years you may have lived in Texas, the heat here is unbearable in the summers. And, while this is the prime season to move to a new area of town, moving can be hard on your health if you don’t prep for it. If you are planning a Dallas area move this summer, here are three hot tips to keeping your cool:

#1 Be aware of how heat can affect your health

Being out in the heat for an extended period can put a lot of wear and tear on your body, especially if you are doing any physical activity -- like moving. In extreme cases, things like heat stroke or heat exhaustion can easily catch up with you. To avoid this, the CDC has a few recommendations:

• Use at least an SPF 15 sunscreen every four hours when Don’t forget those areas that tend to get overlooked, like the back of your neck, your face, and your arms.
• Continually apply insect repellent, especially if you are in an area near the Mosquitoes this time of year will look at you like a Big Mac and fries. Water is where they breed, so keep an eye out for standing water and apply insect repellent just to be safe.
• Drink water throughout the day and keep it with you during physical activity, such as packing or moving items in and out of the car or van. Dehydration can ruin your day.
• Provide yourself opportunities to cool down if you get too Take a cold shower, duck inside for a cool-down period, or even just using a cold washcloth around your neck can help.
• Eat a hearty, healthy meal (including fruits and vegetables) before being out in the heat. A balanced diet is key to keeping up your strength.

Keep these items accessible at all times during your move to help prevent an unexpected incident from happening.

#2 Keep an eye on the day’s forecast

The weather in Dallas can turn on a dime. Cool, heavy rains one day can turn to 100+ degree temperatures the next. The summers add to this by throwing in unbearable heat and humidity that compounds it. According to Visit Dallas, the average temperature can range from 70 - 96 from June to August, with the warmest month being July. With this unpredictability, having a general idea of what to expect the week of your move will help you be better prepared.

This will also help you know what health precautions to follow, as mentioned above.

#3 Protect your items by packing appropriately for the heat

Depending on how far away you are moving from your current home, the items you pack may be in an enclosed space for a prolonged period. Enclosed spaces that are not temperature controlled means they also have poor air circulation. Packing the items that are more likely to be affected by heat in a way that protects them from damage is one way to stay proactive when moving. Plastic melts. Wine goes bad. Medications spoil. Fragile items, even the ones you think will be fine, could be ruined if you don’t take the time to make sure that you have them in the appropriate environment. Here are a few areas that you need to  be mindful of when packing:

• Collectibles that could warp or be altered by extreme temperature Things like antiques or other rare and valuable items all react differently to heat. These items are irreplaceable and could warp, contract, or expand by being packed too densely with other materials.
• Items that are sensitive to If it’s going to rain at any point during the move, the significant change between extreme heat and dampness can damage items. Excess moisture can also cause mold, mildew, or other unpleasant conditions.
• Easily breakable Electronics, musical instruments, and glass are just a few of the many items that could become easily damaged while moving. The goal for these items is to make sure they are wrapped properly and have enough cushion to sustain long periods of storage or moving in a truck. However, be sure not to expose sensitive items such as electronics to too much heat.
• Food items, medications, plants, and animals may be best moved in your car with you. There are very few of the above that are exceptions. The temperatures in a confined space are often much hotter than those conditions on the outside. Don’t risk it.

Anything you have that could fall into one of these categories is something you will want to have access to, ensuring they do not get damaged in the moving process.

Are you planning on moving during the summer months? Let us help! We are experts in heat damage. We are ex-firemen, you know. Contact us to find out more details about our services or to request a quote.