Shifting house in summer heat

In May and June, afternoon temperatures in Lucknow often cross 40°C. A closed truck parked in the sun gets far hotter than that. Moves still happen every day; here is how to do yours safely.

Start early

Begin packing by 7 or 8 am and aim to finish loading before the worst of the afternoon heat. For long moves, plan for the truck to cover the most distance at night.

Protect heat-sensitive items

• Medicines, especially insulin and anything refrigerated: carry them with you in a cool bag.
• Electronics: laptops, phones and hard drives travel with you; do not leave them in a hot vehicle.
• Candles, wax and crayons: they melt and stain other items.
• Aerosols and perfumes: pressurised cans should not go on the truck.
• Wax-polished furniture and vinyl: keep it wrapped and out of direct sun while waiting to be loaded.

Keep everyone hydrated

Keep drinking water, ORS and nimbu paani ready for your family and the crew. Heat exhaustion is a real risk on a long day of lifting.

Fridges and appliances

Do not run a fridge immediately after a hot journey. Let it stand upright for a few hours first so the compressor oil settles.

See also: the best time to shift house in Lucknow.