Whether you have just purchased a safe or already have one in your home, you might be wondering how to move a safe. The best way is to have a professional do it for you. Moving a safe on your own comes with risks to your safety and that of anyone who might be helping you. Plus moving such a large, heavy object can lead to damage to both your home and your safe. Below are just a few of the dangers that can come with moving a safe on your own.
Risk of Serious or Fatal Injuries
The greatest danger of moving a safe on your own is that you could be seriously injured during the process. With most larger safes weighing 500 pounds or more, you're not just running the risk of hurting your back if the safe falls on you or your helpers. You could suffer crushing injuries that could cause permanent disability or even death.
Damage to Your Property or Safe
Trying to navigate a safe through narrow passageways, up or down stairs, or up a loading ramp is a big deal, especially if you're dealing with any of these scenarios:
- Your stairs are not sturdy. This could cause them to collapse under the combined weight of the safe, you and your helpers.
- Your equipment is not strong enough to hold the safe or secure it.
- Your loading ramp is not strong enough and crumbles under the weight.
These are just a few problems that could occur and cause damage to your property and safe.
Safe-Moving Tips
We love our customers and want to keep you safe! That's why we always recommend that you hire professionals to move your safe for you. But if there's no way we can convince you and you decide to move your safe on your own, you should enlist the help of at least three strong friends. You’ll also need to obtain the proper equipment to move the safe, including a heavy-duty appliance dolly, supporting straps or ropes, and thick moving blankets.
Wrapping your safe in moving blankets can help protect it from damage. But if the blankets aren’t completely secured, they can cause you or your assistants to trip or lose your grip on the safe. You’ll also need to completely secure the safe with straps and/or ropes to keep it from slipping off the dolly as you move it.
If you’re loading the safe onto the back of a moving truck, use a loading ramp to roll the dolly up. Once the safe is in the truck, position it against a side and securely strap it in place so it doesn’t move during the ride.
The Benefits of Hiring a Professional
Due to the sheer size and weight of most safes, moving one on your own is dangerous, and our Liberty Safe team doesn't recommend it. Whenever possible, please have a professional deliver your new safe to your home or move your existing safe. A professional safe mover knows how to move a safe without jeopardizing anyone's safety or causing damage to your home, business, or your Liberty Safe.