Did you know that a cluttered living space distracts you from undertaking important tasks? That's why early 2020 is a good time to clear the clutter from your home. You then get to start the year with a clean slate. And a skip bin can help speed up the decluttering process.
However, if you haven't used a skip bin before, the following safety tips can help ensure that you don't hurt yourself while using your skip bin.
1. Make sure your skip bin load is balanced
Before you begin to load your skip bin, consider your item placement carefully. If necessary, make a quick inventory of what you expect to throw away. Then decide what goes in first and what goes in last. To keep your skip bin properly balanced, distribute large, flat items evenly throughout the skip bin. Moreover, load heavy items first so they don't move around when your skip up gets picked up.
2. Dismantle heavy items of furniture first
Since you'll put heavy items into the skip bin first, you need to make sure you don't injure yourself in the process. If you are loading alone or you have several heavy items of furniture, dismantle your heavy furniture first. That way, you won't injure yourself as you attempt to manoeuvre the furniture into your skip bin.
3. Don't climb into a half-full skip bin
Sometimes, the items you dispose of might become wedged into awkward spots in the skip bin. However, if possible, refrain from climbing into the skip bin to reposition objects. You might slip and fall or cut yourself in the process. Instead, use a tool such as a grabber stick to reach into the bin and move the lodged object into a better position.
4. Place your skip bin on level ground
When you get your skip bin, make sure it is placed on a level area of ground. You’ll need to select an appropriate location before your skip bin is delivered. If you place your skip bin on ground where there are stones or holes, you could trip and fall while carrying rubbish to your skip bin. It could also make it harder to load the skip bin evenly if the items shift toward one end.
5. Protect your hands and feet
Before you start to dispose of your household clutter, purchase some safety gloves and boots. The gloves will protect your hands from splinters from furniture and from welts or blisters. And the boots will protect your feet should you drop anything heavy while taking it to your skip bin.
6. Don't overfill your skip bin
You can plan for this step while you make an inventory of the items you plan to place into your skip bin. If you have many items to throw away, fill every corner of your skip bin. Leave no air pockets. But whatever you do, don't fill your skip bin over the rim. Fill your skip bin to a point just below the rim; otherwise, items could fall on you while you load the bin. They might also fall out during pickup.
7. Clear the area of obstacles before loading
Since your declutter project will take you to and from your skip bin multiple times, clear the area of obstacles before you begin. Moreover, if the path you need to take contains immovable objects, such as steps or pipes, place some form of marker to warn you in advance. While lifting bulky objects, you might misjudge your steps and trip. Use signs and arrows to guide you past obstacles.
Do you have a substantial amount of rubbish and junk to dispose of? Then get in touch with Green Bins today. We'll help you choose a suitably sized skip bin so you can dispose of your rubbish quickly and efficiently.
