Making a move across the country or even just to a new state can be tough, but moving your family to a new area of the country where the climate differs drastically from your current climate can be extra difficult. The experience can seem especially difficult when moving during the winter when temperatures reach frigid lows in the northern United States, yet can still be extremely hot in the south. 

Careful planning is important when facing any move, but it is even more important when moving to a brand-new climate. Read on to learn two vital tips for the safety and health of your entire family when moving from a cold climate to a hot one during the winter months. 

1. Keep the National Forecast in Mind When Choosing Your Exact Moving Date

If you plan to pack up your own belongings, load them onto a rental truck, and transport them to your family's new location, then it is extremely important to keep the local weather forecast in mind when choosing the day your family will be loading the truck and the day(s) you will be driving the truck across the country.

If your family were to load your belongings onto a truck when home walkways are icy, covered in snow, or even after ice on walkways has melted and left slush behind, injuries could occur. Even if your family is typically very careful when walking outdoors in the winter, the stress of trying to load the truck quickly could lead to misjudgments being made that lead to slip-and-fall injuries. 

In addition, driving on icy winter roads can be hazardous enough when a person is driving their own vehicle; driving a rental truck that you are not used to driving on snowy and/or icy roads in the winter should be avoided at all costs due to the risk of an accident occurring that could leave you seriously injured. If you must drive in snowy conditions, be sure to drive at least 10 miles below the speed limit and stay at least 5 car lengths behind the driver in front of you at all times. 

Play it safe and schedule your move when weather conditions in all states your family will be driving through when making the move are expected to be relatively mild. However, since weather forecasts are never 100-percent accurate, you can stay even safer if you hire experienced long distance movers who can load up the truck and drive it to your destination. Moving truck drivers have experience driving long distances in all types of weather, and hiring one to make the drive for you can ensure your belongings arrive at your destination in good condition and that all of your family members arrive in good health. 

2. Also Keep the Projected Heat Index and UV Index of Your Destination in Mind

Moving from a cold climate to a hot one can be an exciting experience, and you may expect to arrive at your destination ready to enjoy the amazing weather outdoors as your family unpacks. However, it is important to realize that the colder your current climate is and the later it is into winter, the longer it may take your family to acclimate to that new hot weather. Be sure to keep the projected heat index and UV index of the day of your arrival in mind when making unpacking plans. 

Humid climates can feel much hotter than drier climates when the air in both climates are the same temperature, so pay more attention to the projected heat index of your destination on arrival day than to the expected high temperature; the heat index is a gauge of how hot the air "feels" after both the temperature and humidity level of the air are considered.

If the heat index of your destination is under 90 degrees F on unpacking day, just be sure your family drinks plenty of water and rests as needed. However, if the heat index is above 90 degrees F on unpacking day, make sure every family member increases their water intake and takes adequate rest periods indoors in cool areas based on the OSHA Water. Rest. Shade. guidelines for people working in hot weather. 

Checking out the location's UV index is also important to find out how strong the sun will be on unpacking day; if it is expected to be high, then family members unpacking will need to wear sunscreen (and re-apply every two hours) to avoid developing sunburn and to wear other sun-protection devices, such as sunglasses. 

If you are moving your family from a cold area of the country to a hot one during the US winter, then keep these two tips for moving safety and health in mind. To learn how long-distance movers can help you with your move, check out websites like http://www.palmierimoversandstorage.com/.