Just the sound of the title is exhausting. However, with no elevator
in your new apartment building there is no other choice but to climb. So while
you grin and bear it, make the timely and tiresome task a bit less daunting by
following some tips:
Check Stair Safety
The very first thing you will want to do
before climbing a set of stairs carrying heavy items is to check the safety of
the flight of steps. Make sure all the boards are tightly bolted down and there
are no holes in the wood that you inevitably trip over or fall through.
Count the Stairs
Though it sounds silly, it is actually very
important to count how many stairs you will have to climb. For safety purposes,
knowing exactly how many stairs you have enables you to pace yourself and stand
and regain strength on certain numbered stairs. While climbing, concentrate on
your feet and be aware of the height, depth and distance between each step so
you know exactly how much to lift your legs.
Never Work Alone
Another important safety aspect of climbing up
and down a stairwell when moving is to never do it alone. Stairs are dangerous
and you must not only use caution when climbing them but you should always have
someone present in case you trip or fall while carrying a load. Even more
importantly, it will be likely that you are going to need two sets of hands to
carry your furniture up the stairs, hence, you need to have a friend or two
around to help you.
Avoid Talking
While you are carrying a load, with help or
without, you should avoid talking. Not only will you lose your breath quicker,
you are more likely to get distracted, which would cause you to trip or fall,
taking your friend down with you.
Take Your Time
Patience grasshopper, patience. Taking your time
while climbing stairs and carrying heavy items is one of the best safety
measures you can take. Though you may want to hurry up the stairs as fast as you
can feeling like you're going to drop the load if you don't reach the front door
soon, don't do it. It is better to stop at certain numbered stairs noted earlier
and regain your breath and strength.
Proper Footwear
The safest and most comfortable footwear to have
on when climbing and carrying items up stairs is sneakers with good traction.
Wearing flip flops or loose shoes raises the risk of slips and falls. Also
assure you are not wearing pants or a skirt that are too long and may cause you
to trip.
Lighting
Lastly, the most obvious factor that will keep you from harm is
light. It is very important to guarantee you have good lighting that shows the
height, depth and distance of the steps so you can see each one as you climb it.
Lifting
As aforementioned, you should never carry a heavy item
up a load of stairs by yourself. The following lifting tips and the help of a
friend will make your climb safer while you move. Before you lift anything up,
size up the space of the stairwell and make sure you can move freely in the
area. Once clear, gain your balance before you lift the load in front of you
with your palms and fingers. Then, slowly bend your knees and keep your back
straight as you use your body weight to lift and push up your legs. Always keep
your arms and elbows close to your side, carrying the load as close to your
chest and body as possible. When placing the item down, bend the knees again and
slowly set down the load.