Just like the weapons that they protect, gun safes are dangerous objects and are not to be taken lightly. They are heavy and bulky, designed to be placed somewhere and left there. If you have to move one, you need to be extremely careful in moving a gun safe.
Not moving them properly or not taking the right precautions and having the right equipment on hand to do the job could lead to serious injury or even death. Even transferring them from one room to the next could put a strain on your back and these dangers escalate if you should have to move them up or down stairs.
Assess the Situation
The first step to moving a gun safe properly is to assess the situation in practical terms. If it is a tall freestanding safe, maybe you should consider calling in a professional to move the safe for you. Sure, many people want to save money by doing it themselves or with the help of friends, but it will cost you more in the long run if something happens, you are injured and have to spend time at the hospital. Some of these freestanding safes can weigh hundreds of pounds. If you really feel that you can move your safe properly on your own, here are some things that you need to do.
Remove the Items
Always remove all your items from the safe itself. Not only will this relieve some of the weight, but it is just a good precaution. You don’t want one of your weapons to accidentally discharge. You also want to rent all of your equipment ahead of time, so you have everything ready, making moving a gun safe fast and efficient.
Use Proper Tools
First, determine if the safe has been securely fastened to the floor it’s sitting on. You may need to get some tools to remove the bolts, keeping them in a safe place until you have transferred the safe to the new location. Never try to just manhandle a safe, even a smaller sized one. You need to find a hand truck, one that has enough strapping to tie down the safe properly. When picking a hand truck for moving a safe, make sure that it is rated for the weight of the safe itself. Not having a strong enough one can be hazardous in itself, it could break and cause injury. If you are transporting your safe up or down stairs, make sure the hand truck has a skid rail on the back, as well as large enough tires to make the job easier.
Get Help From Friends
No matter how small your safe is, you should always have someone with you to help. They can guide you through doorways, help lift or lower the safe on stairs, and be that extra person if something does happen, getting the safe off of you or even calling 911. You should always have at least one other person helping you when lifting or lowering the safe on stairs. Go slowly, and be extremely careful. In addition to a hand truck, you may also want to rent a wheeled dolly. This way you can turn the safe on its side, put it on four stable wheels, and move it much easier from one location to another. You should also have some ratcheting straps to keep it in place while in transport.
Use a Tailgate Lift
If you are moving a gun safe from one home to another, it is really a good idea to rent a vehicle with a tailgate lift. These are hydraulic lifts that are attached to the back end of a truck, which lower all the way to the ground, then lift heavy objects to the level of the truck bed. In order to ensure your safety, one of these should always be used when transporting your gun safes from one home or office to another.
Wear Protective Gears
Some other precautionary measures to ensure safe transfer are gloves and proper footwear. Don’t wear flimsy thongs or sandals, as these are not going to protect your feet, and may even cause you to trip and be injured. Anyone helping you should also be wearing protective gloves and shoes or boots. Make sure the path to the new location is free of any obstacles or debris, and carefully measure doorways and stairwells. If possible, you should always use an elevator to transport your safe from one floor to another. You can be safe when moving a gun safe, if you take these steps.
