Summer is here, and that means it’s moving season. In fact, the moving season generally starts after Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. Children are off from school, and there are several holidays you can use to coordinate your move. Depending on what you do for a living, work might also be a bit slower as many people take their vacations during the summer months. With that said, you’re also dealing with higher temperatures, which could lead to fatigue and heat stroke if you’re not careful. Luckily, these tips can help keep you safe and stress-free during your CT summer move.
Hire Professional Movers ASAP
Summer is the busiest time of the year for moves. Around 70% of all moves take place between May and September. That means the best professional movers in CT will likely be booked well in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you might have to move on a day or time that isn’t as convenient for you. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to wait several weeks until the movers are available.
Of course, you don’t want to rush into a contract with a moving company you haven’t researched. Your best bet is to start researching movers at least a month before your move date, but the earlier, the better. You want to find a company that not only provides all the services you might need, but can also do so within your budget and on your preferred date/time.
Avoid Moving in the Afternoon
The summer brings with it high temperatures and humidity. As the day progresses, it will only get hotter, which could spell disaster for you. Your best bet is to schedule your move before 8 am. The temperatures should still be cooler at that time. If you’re not a morning person, then consider after 6:30 pm. Since the sun is out for longer during the summer, you’ll still get plenty of daylight, and the temperatures should have dropped from their mid-afternoon highs.
Best & Worst Times of Day to Move in Summer
| Time of Day | Avg Temperature (CT) | Humidity Levels | Traffic Impact | Moving Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | 🌡️ 68°F | Low–Moderate | Light traffic | ✅ Best time — cool temps & faster move |
| 12:00 PM | 🌡️ 80°F | Rising | Moderate | ⚠️ Risk of fatigue, slower pace |
| 3:00 PM | 🌡️ 86°F | Peak (12–5 PM) | Heavy traffic | ❌ Worst time — heat & congestion |
| 6:30 PM | 🌡️ 75°F | Moderate | Light traffic | ✅ Good option — cooler & avoids rush hour |
| Time Saved (off-peak) | 30–60 mins — saves money on mover hourly rates | |||
Another benefit of moving before 8 am or after 6:30 pm is that you are missing rush hour traffic. Not only does that reduce how much time you have to be out in the heat, but it also helps save you money since the movers won’t have to sit in traffic. It’s a win-win all around.
Prepare Water
It’s important to stay hydrated in the summer, and that’s especially true when moving. Since your air conditioners will be off and you’ll be moving around, you’ll be sweating a lot! That’s true even if there are pro-Connecticut movers who are doing all the heavy lifting. You still need to pack your essentials and other important items into your car and check to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Buy enough water that will last the entire moving day, as well as the day after. Make sure to get enough not only for your family, but also for everyone else who helped you, including the moving crew. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and money by having water bottles in advance. You don’t even need to chill it if you don’t have room in your fridge. Yes, cold water after working in the hot sun does feel amazing, but room temperature water is better than no water!
Pack Carefully
Packing might be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s also the most important step! While you could just toss all of your belongings haphazardly into boxes and bags, you’ll regret it later! Sure, it might be faster initially, but don’t forget you also have to unpack everything! If you don’t know what’s in your boxes, you’ll spend a lot more time digging through and organizing everything. Plus, if you have fragile items, they could easily get damaged in the move, and you’ll have to deal with broken glass and ceramics.
Packing & Heat-Sensitive Item Data
| Item Type | Max Safe Temperature | Heat-Related Risk | Packing Tips | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics (TVs, computers, gaming consoles) | 95°F | Can overheat, internal components damaged | Pack last, unload first, avoid direct sun | Use insulated boxes if possible |
| Cardboard Boxes | High humidity (>70%) | Lose up to 30% strength, risk of collapsing | Keep dry, avoid stacking too high | Label fragile items clearly |
| Glassware & Ceramics | Any direct sun | Cracks or breaks due to thermal shock | Wrap in bubble wrap, pack upright, mark “fragile” | Take photos before packing |
| Candles & Cosmetics | 90°F+ | Melt or deform | Pack separately in an insulated container | Avoid storing in the truck under the sun |
| Vinyl Records & Media | 90°F+ | Warping, permanent damage | Store vertically, avoid truck heat | Keep in a climate-controlled environment if possible |
| Liquids (cleaners, beverages) | 100°F+ | Explosion, leakage | Seal tightly, place in a waterproof bag | Avoid leaving in hot truck for long |
| Plants | 85°F+ | Wilting, sunburn | Keep in a shaded box, water before moving | Consider moving separately in an air-conditioned vehicle |
To avoid potential unpacking issues, really think about how you want to organize your rooms and belongings. And don’t forget to keep an inventory of everything you are taking with you. You’ll also want to take a lot of pictures. Obviously, you want to take pictures of fragile items before the move so you can keep track of their condition. However, you should also take pictures of things like your home entertainment cable setup, so you know what plugs in where.
Speaking of home entertainment, you should be careful when packing electronics, as most of these cannot handle the heat. Do some research beforehand on what items might be susceptible to melting in high temperatures, and leave them for the end of packing so they can be unloaded first.
Dress Appropriately
Don’t worry about looking fashionable on moving day. Your aim is to be as comfortable as possible. When moving during the summer, that also means you want to avoid trapping heat in your clothes. Opt for light, breathable clothes made out of cotton or other natural fabrics. You should also focus on clothes that are easy to move in and won’t get tangled or caught on corners or boxes, so nothing too loose or flowy. You should also wear light, neutral colors for your clothes if possible.
When it comes to your shoes, stick with sneakers and some socks. You’ll be doing a lot of walking back and forth between rooms, driving, and unpacking, so go with something comfortable. Now is not the time to try out that new pair of shoes or wear flip flops.
Pay Close Attention to your Pets and/or Kids
It’s easy to lose track of your pets and kids with all the commotion of a move. However, they are the most likely to suffer from heat exhaustion during a summer move. If you’re not moving too far away, put your pet in a daycare during the move. It’s a great way to keep them safe as they can stay cool and out of the way. Plus, it will prevent your pet from getting too stressed because of all the hectic energy.
Kids & Pets Safety During Summer Moves
| Category | Risk in Summer Heat | Safety Tips | Recommended Precautions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dogs | Can overheat quickly; body temp >104°F is dangerous | Keep in a shaded, cool area; frequent water breaks | Consider daycare for the day of the move | Avoid leaving in parked car |
| Cats | Stress + heat = dehydration, anxiety | Use a carrier with cooling pads; keep quiet | Move separately in an AC-controlled vehicle if possible | Keep familiar items for comfort |
| Infants & Toddlers | Heat exhaustion, dehydration | Schedule moves early morning or late evening; frequent fluids | Assign a caregiver to supervise full-time | Avoid sun exposure, take breaks often |
| Older Children | Heat stress, fatigue | Give water, snacks, and shaded rest areas | Monitor activity, limit heavy lifting | Encourage light clothing and hats |
| Pets in general | Anxiety, stress, sunburn, paw burns | Keep indoors or in a cool, shaded area; provide water | Avoid direct sunlight, set up a small safe area | Bring favorite toys or blankets |
| Moving vehicle exposure | Heat builds up inside trucks/cars quickly | Never leave kids/pets unattended | Air-conditioned transport, shaded breaks | Keep emergency contact numbers handy |
If you have young children, see if you could drop them off with a friend or family member if you aren’t moving too far away. Much like your pets, the idea is to keep them out of harm’s way as much as possible while also reducing their stress levels. If you’re making a long-distance trip, the trick is prevention. Make sure to have plenty of cold water and juice on hand, as well as their favorite snacks. You can even set up a small napping area in a quiet place in your house, so they can sleep if they get tired. Just make sure you don’t forget them!
Take Breaks
Moving is a grueling process. Considering how stressful it can be, it’s no surprise that many people just want to get it over with as quickly as possible. However, during the summer months, you should set aside some time in the day to take a break. With the constant movement and lack of A/C, combined with the high temperatures and humidity, you can easily suffer from heat exhaustion. If you notice that you are sweating a lot and out of breath, take some time to cool off. That goes for everyone else in your family!
Once you’re in your new home, don’t unpack immediately. You might want to get everything, but your first order of business should be to relax. Drink whatever water you have leftover and turn up the air conditioner so you can cool down. You might even want to take a shower if it’s especially hot to wash off your sweat. After that, get something to eat to replenish your energy, and then you can start unpacking.
Prepare for Your Summer CT Move
The best way to make your CT summer move better is to hire professional CT movers. They will deal with all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to break too much of a sweat in the sweltering heat. Our moving crew is trained for maximum efficiency so we can finish even the largest move in a few hours.
FAQ
What happens if I feel sick during the move?
If you’re not feeling well, you might be suffering from mild heat exhaustion. Go find a cool place to rest and drink lots of cool liquids, ideally water or sports drinks. You might also need to eat something to replenish yourself.
If there is a heat weather advisory, will the movers still come on moving day?
Yes, movers will still move you even during high temperatures. They might try to get an earlier start to the day to avoid the hottest times, but unless there is a serious weather related catastrophe, they will keep the scheduled date.
Are the moving trucks climate controlled?
No, the back of a moving truck is NOT climate controlled so it can get quite hot during the summer months. That’s why if you have heat sensitive items, we suggest you properly label them so we can load then last and unload them first to avoid issues.
