Thinking of Moving to Hilton Head with a Summer Apartment?

The following comes to us from our friends at http://movingtoday.com:

Moving to an Apartment During the Summer

With kids out of school and vacation at the ready, summer is the easiest time for most people to coordinate a move.  It’s also the busiest season of the year for apartment moving.  Use these summer moving tips to help protect yourself — and your stuff — during a summer move to Hilton Head Island or Bluffton, South Carolina.

Make arrangements early 
:  Because so many people plan a summer move, you’ve got to allow plenty of time to secure the moving truck or professional moving company you need.  These companies book up fast during the summer, so making a reservation as far in advance as possible is a good idea.  Extra lead-time means you won’t have to compete with as many other people for popular moving dates.

Be flexible:   
To increase your chances of getting a rental truck reservation, keep your moving date flexible.  Weekends are always popular times to move year-round, so if you can move on a weekday you might encounter less hassle finding a moving truck.  You’ll also get a better rate.

Beat the heat:   
Don’t underestimate the added health risks of a summer move.  No matter where you live in the United States, heat-related illness is a serious risk in the summer — whether you’re moving boxes yourself or supervising. When you’re under a time crunch to return your moving truck, it’s easy to forget about the risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Avoid heat-related illnesses by following these summer moving tips:

The combination of sun exposure and vigorous activity can be a bit much for anyone, but it’s particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly.  It’s best to schedule regular water and rest breaks so everyone, young and old, stays safe.

Safeguard heat-sensitive items 
:  You may also have to take extra heat-related precautions when it comes to moving your possessions.  Sun, humidity and high temperatures can damage many household items including plants, art supplies, makeup, fine art, media, electronics and food.

The best way to protect your heat-sensitive possessions from heat damage is to take inventory of them before moving day and then pack them separately, labeled “heat sensitive.”  Make arrangements to transport these delicate items in advance of your moving day, if possible. Be careful not to leave heat-sensitive items sitting in the hot sun or in a hot car for too long.

Don’t forget pets:   
Don’t forget to keep your pet healthy in hot weather .  Pets can suffer from heat-related illnesses, too, and the more sensitive the breed, the higher the risk.  Keep pets safe with these summer moving tips:

Make sure your pet has a cool, shady place to rest while you complete your move.

Never leave pets in a hot car during a summer move.

Provide your pet with plenty of cool water.

Watch for the signs of heat exhaustion:  excessive panting and drooling.

If you think you’ll be too busy to keep an eye on your pet, you might want to consider pet day care, where Fido and Kitty can play in a cool environment.

Plan ahead:   
The single best thing you can do when managing your summer move is to plan ahead.  With so much to coordinate and so many extra high-heat precautions to take, you don’t want anything to slip through the cracks.  Give yourself the time to be prepared, and you’ll get through the process feeling much calmer than you would otherwise.