Even though the COVID-19 has imposed severe restrictions on movement and made social distancing mandatory, you may be faced with the necessity to relocate your home. If you are forced to move during these uncertain and unprecedented times, you should ensure you do not expose yourself or your family to infection by taking all possible safety measures before, during, and after relocating. Some useful tips for staying safe are detailed in the following article.
What to Do Before the Day of Moving?
House hunting can be tough when you need to contend with the restriction on movement and the need to practice social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since you will not be able to personally visit many houses, you will have to rely on online listings and video walkthroughs of properties. If you are attending an open house, you should wear a mask, resist touching surfaces unnecessarily, and maintain social distancing from others present there. You should also attempt to set up all meetings with the real estate agent over the phone or videoconferencing. Ask for the contract documents to be sent to your email and execute them electronically. You can additionally make all payments electronically, instead of physically writing checks. Finally, arrange for a professional cleaning agency to visit the new house, to clean and sanitize it completely according to the standards detailed by CDC.
Precautions to Take on the Day of Moving: Suggestions by Adam K Veron
After clearing the possibility of movers coming over with your building manager, you should verify the moving agency’s sanitization practices and ask them to commit to them in writing. Ideally, you should move your family and pets out of the house on the day they come over, recommendsAdam K Veron. Ensure all the hired movers have not experienced any flu-like symptoms before they begin. They should all wear masks and gloves as well to remain sanitary. If you want to be present during the packing and moving process, you should wear a mask, gloves, and maintain a safe distance from the packers and their supervisors throughout.
What to Do After Moving In?
Immediately after your belongings have been moved in by the packers, you should dispose of all the packing materials safely. Sanitize your home thoroughly with disinfectants, taking care to cover all areas. Pay special attention to frequently-touched surfaces like doorknobs, window handles, and latches, tables, kitchen countertops, sinks, faucets, light switches, etc. Remember sanitization is not a one-time activity; you must continue to follow a rigorous sanitization regimen — even after settling in. According to an article published by Fox News, hand sanitizers must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
Conclusion
Moving into a new home can be very exciting for you and your family. However, the unprecedented times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for you to follow stringent safety protocols to minimize the chances of becoming infected. Taking these essential precautions is well worth it for the safety of you and your family.