By Gina Cappiello, 123Movers.com

Summertime is all about the blazing hot sun, road trips, beaches, and ice cream. It is also a popular time for moving. According to the US Census Bureau, about 12% of Americans moved in 2008, and most chose to do this during the summer. If you are one of these summer movers, follow the following tips to make your summer move more enjoyable and safe:

Stay hydrated
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more water than it is taking in. Moving boxes all day in hot weather can make you more susceptible to dehydration. In order to beat the heat and stay energized throughout your move, keep a case of cold water in a cooler in a central location of your house. This way, the fridge will stay clean and you will stay refreshed.

Dress appropriately
Even though it is hot outside, moving day is not the best day for wearing many summer accessories. Forgo the flip flops for one day in favor of sneakers to protect your feet. Don’t wear accessories like long necklaces, bangles, and large rings during your move, either. These can get stuck on items in between boxes, causing injuries. Simple attire that you do not mind getting a little dirty or sweaty is best to wear during a move, like an old pair of shorts and a light cotton top.

Protect perishable foods
It is smart to clean out the fridge the night before or the morning of the move, but what do you do with these perishable items now? Pack a cooler or two with ice and your perishables so nothing goes bad. If your new home is not too far away, you can always bring your cold food items to the house early to ensure nothing goes bad.

Pack fans and A/C units last
Keep your current home cool throughout your move with fans and air conditioning. You do not want anyone to get overheated. Once you are all done packing up your truck, remove the fans and A/C units in your home and pack them into the truck. When you arrive at your new home, bring the fans and A/C units into the home, put them on, and cool the house down before moving everything inside.

Take your time
Accidents and injuries can happen if you rush. There is no need to run in and out of your home with a number of boxes in each trip to make things “quicker.” It may just end up slowing you down if you get injured or drop your boxes. Walk slowly up and down stairs with your items, watching where you place your foot upon each step to lower the risk of slips and falls. Also, take breaks in between lifting and packing to sit down, have water, and a snack. Moving takes time, so make sure to take yours to prevent injuries or sickness.

Along with all of these moving tips, it’s important to stay positive and calm. It can be frustrating moving your entire life from one location to another in the summer heat, but an upbeat attitude paired with a Zen-like calm throughout a summer move will definitely help make things go smoothly.