Tips for keeping kids safe on moving day

You can expect moving day to be hectic— boxes everywhere, movers going in and out carrying large boxes and furniture, moving trucks, ramps, etc.  Not an ideal event for kids.  So if yours is a family with young children, we recommend making sure to have a plan for them for the day.  The last thing you'll want is to worry about their safety in the midst of the other concerns of the day. Here are a few tips for keeping your kids safe on moving day.

1. Spend the day away.  If your kids are young and you have friends or family willing to lend a hand, letting them spend a fun day away is ideal.   I have a six-year-old and a three-year-old who like to have their mommy and daddy's full attention— regardless of what's going on around them.  So based on personal experience, sending them away for the day is a good plan!  There's much more fun to be had hanging out with friends or family than experiencing the craziness of moving day.  

2. Hire an in-home babysitter.  If you don't have friends or family they can spend the day with, consider hiring a babysitter to watch over your kids at your house.  While it's not as ideal as having them away from the house for the day, the babysitter can keep them occupied playing outside and make sure their needs are met while keeping them out of the path of the movers (or you) carrying heavy boxes and furniture.

3. Create a "safe room".  If a babysitter isn't an option, empty one room and designate it as the "play room" for the day.  Keep out a few things that will be easy to pack in your vehicle, set up a small TV or portable DVD player and let them watch movies, play travel board games, color etc.  Set clear safety-related rules ahead of time. 

4. Keep cleaning chemicals and potentially dangerous items out of reach.  While most older children are mature enough to leave cleaners and other dangerous objects alone, younger children who aren't accustomed to having this stuff around may get curious.  Just be aware of items like cleaners, scissors, kitchen knives and box knives and keep them out of the reach of little hands.
 
Moving day is an exciting day for you and your kids.  Make sure to take the extra steps to keep everyone safe on the big day!  What did your kids do on moving day?  Let us know!