Here are some essential tips for moving house during lockdown - and how you can keep safe

Moving house at any time of year can be a stressful experience, but doing so during the coronavirus pandemic - with varying restrictions in place around the UK - can be even more hectic.
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Thankfully, the self-storage and removals experts at Space Station have come up with essential tips to follow to ensure efficient packing before a big move, to save time, money and keep you safe.

Stay alert and keep you distance

Hiring removal experts to help you move house can make your move as efficient as possible, and they will also have the correct equipment to move your contents in a safe and secure way.

Plan your move well in advance.Plan your move well in advance.
Plan your move well in advance.
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However, if you are planning on using a removal service to assist you, make sure you are sticking to social distancing and hygiene rules where possible. The process of loading up vans and lorries can be time consuming, and numerous people will likely be in and out of your home frequently.

You should keep all internal doors open to keep air circulating, and do not offer drinks or refreshments to those outside your household.

Plan well in advance

If you are planning on using a removal company, then it’s worth contacting the company as early as you can to find out whether they will be operating during the times you need them, as their operating procedures may have changed to ensure compliance with the various coronavirus restrictions.

Stay alert, keep your distance and practice all the coronavirus restrictions in place.Stay alert, keep your distance and practice all the coronavirus restrictions in place.
Stay alert, keep your distance and practice all the coronavirus restrictions in place.

Clean all your items thoroughly

To keep packing material costs to a minimum, you can use items you already have to pack your contents securely and safely.

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Wrapping glassware and china in large towels and securing with tape or string can ensure these items are transported safely, while also reducing the total number of boxes you have to move, which should bring removal costs down.

It’s also worth triple checking removal boxes are secure before moving so that their contents don’t get broken or damaged due to falling through the bottom of a box during the move. You can reinforce the bottom of any heavily packed boxes with a strong adhesive tape.

Be sure to keep everything as clean as possible.Be sure to keep everything as clean as possible.
Be sure to keep everything as clean as possible.

Avoid using bin liners and plastic bags

Not only is using cardboard or reusable plastic boxes better for the environment, it also reduces the likelihood of mistakes being made during the move and will better protect your belongings, as plastic bags can be easily snagged and damaged.

Investing in vacuum storage bags ahead of your move can be worth it, as they’ll help you to transport bulky material goods, such as sofa cushions, duvets and bedding, by reducing them to less than half the size.

Pack precious goods in wheeled suitcase

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Wrapping precious jewellery, photos, books and other items such as family heirlooms in bubble wrap or towels, securing with a strong adhesive tape and then packing them in suitcases can also be a good idea.

Doing so will ensure you can identify them easily during the move and if your suitcase has wheels, it will remove the need for lifting up and down, reducing the risks of a drop or fall.

Protect Corners

It’s important to protect the corners of any large items. Cardboard corner protectors are often cheap to buy, or as an alternative, use strong adhesive tape and bubble wrap.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.