Moving a heavy safe around the house can be a challenge, even if you know how to do it. You should test your safe before taking it home, particularly if you are moving it upstairs. Going through some steps to get to the front door makes things to be difficult. Also, it cannot be easy to move the 1500 lb. heavy safe in just a few steps. However, it will be more difficult and dangerous to move it upstairs.
Professional movers become the best option if you want this job to be done well. Likewise, this can reduce the risk of damage and injury to your safe plus your home. Nevertheless, maybe most of the people know the methods to move a safe upstairs. Because of this, we’ve put together some guidelines on how to move it safely. It is even more dangerous and difficult to reach upstairs of the house if there are outside stairs. Hence, planning is essential.
How to move a heavy gun safe upstairs?
Empty a safe before moving
Every time ensure the safe is empty before trying to move it. This will make a safe to be lighter and avoid damage caused by drops, resulting in costly repairs and replacement. Stay safer and never move a loaded gun into or out of a safe.
Get the right equipment
When moving the safe, you need to have the right equipment. This can be the difference between dangerous and safe moves. Equipment needed to move a safe includes thick gloves, a heavy-duty dolly, security gloves, special equipment like the pallet jacks or stair climbing dolly, and a truck for loading.
Heavy-duty moves need heavy-duty equipment. Never buy cheap equipment to move the safe. Always rent or buy the best equipment obtainable to ensure a smooth and safe movement. It is also recommended to test the device in advance to minimize the danger of failure of the equipment.
Know the size weight
You should also know the size and weight of the safe. This can assist you in choosing the right equipment to move. If you do not have a sturdy dolly to transport the safe, you’ll either require to buy it or rent it to reach upstairs. Choosing the electric stair-climbing dolly will make it much easier to get to the top safely. But you can also use a sturdy dolly or a stair lift dolly.
Dress correctly for the movement
In addition to having the right equipment, it is also important to dress appropriately to avoid injury when moving the safe. Make sure both of you and the helpers wear good quality work gloves, sturdy pants like cargo pants or jeans, plus steel-toed shoes. Usually, wear clothes that are neither too tight nor too baggy and do not tear easily or get dirty fast. Wear closed gloves to protect your hands and sturdy shoes to guard your feet. Gloves are especially significant when you move the heavy wooden safes, which can break.
Secure a safe
Carefully slant the safe and slip a dolly underneath. Typically, the helpers must wear gloves because of this part. After that, wrap the safe with the conveyer belt as tightly as possible. This protects the safe and helps to reduce movement. After mounting, tilt a dolly back so that heaviness is evenly distributed over the wheels.
Create a move strategy
Decide at what angle you want to move the gun safe upstairs before moving it. Think of the best ways to get your safe up the stairs and then where to go. Consider things like doors or stair arches and decide the angle the safe should be raised on the stairs. For instance, if at the top of a stair has a door and you want to erect a safe to go up and from side to side of the stairs, you will probably have to put it on its side before loading to carry it through the door.
Take into account the shape of the safes and the arrangement of the stairs, such as, if you acquire an L-shaped safe and you need to lift it along a staircase with a handrail, the greatest way to climb the stairs is when the L-shaped section of the safe is suspended from the rail.
Enlist others to assist in move
Ask someone to assist you in transporting the safe or to identify it for you. Never try to carry the weighty safes upstairs by yourself. Always use at least one helper to help you avoid hurting yourself or your safe by trying it on yourself. Even if you organize to use the safe to carry the safe upstairs, an assistant will be needed to identify you as you climb the stairs to ensure you do not trip and drop the cart.
Move the safe
With the safe held to the dolly with the cargo strap, slant the cart back on the wheels, so the heaviness of the safe rests on the wheels. You will likely need more people to change the safe in this place. When transporting the safe upstairs, always use not less than two or three assistants to keep the safe stable.
Once the safe has been placed on a truck, tilt the safe and move it carefully and slowly until it rests completely on the floor. Remove the strap, hold it onto the dolly, and then gently slide then it tilts is out of the safe. When moving a safe upstairs, it is best to have an assistant check the safe with other lifts step by step.
How do you lift a heavy safe?
Lifting a heavy safe requires careful planning, proper equipment, and often, assistance from others due to the weight and size of the safe. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to lift a heavy safe safely:
- Gather Equipment and Helpers: You will need several items and people to assist you:
- A heavy-duty appliance dolly or hand truck with straps or ropes.
- At least two strong and able-bodied individuals to help with the lifting.
- Thick moving blankets or padding to protect the safe and surrounding areas.
- Gloves to protect your hands and improve your grip.
- Assess the Path: Before attempting to lift the safe, carefully assess the path you’ll need to take to move it. Remove any obstacles, such as furniture or rugs, that could impede your progress.
- Secure the Safe: Wrap the safe with thick moving blankets or padding to protect it from scratches and damage during the move. Make sure the padding is secure with tape or straps.
- Position the Dolly: Place the heavy-duty appliance dolly or hand truck next to the safe, ensuring it’s on a flat and stable surface.
- Tilt the Safe: With the assistance of your helpers, carefully tilt the safe onto its side and gently slide it onto the dolly. Make sure the safe is centered on the dolly to maintain balance.
- Secure the Safe: Use straps, ropes, or any secure fastening mechanism provided with the dolly to secure the safe to the hand truck. Ensure the safe is stable and won’t shift during transport.
- Lift and Move: The two individuals should stand on opposite sides of the dolly, with one person holding the handles and the other supporting the weight from the bottom. Lift the safe by leveraging your legs and not your back, and communicate with your helpers to ensure you’re moving in sync.
- Move Slowly and Carefully: Move the safe slowly and steadily, taking breaks as needed to avoid straining yourselves. Use extreme caution when navigating stairs or uneven surfaces.
- Unload and Position: Once you’ve reached the desired location, carefully unload the safe from the dolly, ensuring it’s placed exactly where you want it. Remove any straps or ropes securing the safe.
- Final Adjustments: Make any necessary adjustments to ensure the safe is level and stable in its new location.
Remember that lifting a heavy safe can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous if not done correctly. It’s crucial to prioritize safety and take your time during the process. If you’re unsure about your ability to move a heavy safe safely, consider hiring professional movers or technicians experienced in moving safes. They have the expertise, equipment, and insurance to handle the job safely and efficiently.
Conclusion
There is no hesitation that a heavy safe like 1500 lb. is hard to move. It can be a challenge to move a gun safe when it weighs more. Be sure to consider the loading capacity of the next floor when safely placing the gun in it. When moving a weighty safe upstairs, it is important to follow the instructions for moving the safe to prevent any risk of injury. Avoid personal injury and property damage during a safe installation by planning safely and efficiently.
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