Moving with young children is a whole different level of moving. It is everything a regular move involves — the packing, the logistics, the endless boxes — plus a small human who has no idea what is happening, no interest in staying out of the way, and a remarkable ability to find danger in any situation. Here is how to keep your kids safe on moving day and get your new home childproofed before anything goes wrong.
Keep Kids Out of the Action on Moving Day
Moving day is genuinely dangerous for young children. There are heavy boxes being carried through doorways, furniture being tilted around corners, dollies loaded with appliances, and people coming and going through open doors all day long. The safest place for young kids on moving day is not in the middle of it.
If possible, arrange for kids to spend moving day with a grandparent, family friend, or anyone who can keep them entertained and out of harm’s way. If that is not possible, set up a safe room with the door closed — toys, snacks, a tablet, whatever keeps them occupied — and make sure every adult on site knows that door stays shut.
Childproof the New Home Before Moving Day if You Can
If you have any access to your new home before the move, use it. Walk through every room with fresh eyes and tackle the biggest hazards before the furniture arrives. Outlet covers, cabinet locks, stair gates, and furniture anchors are all much easier to install in an empty room than in one full of boxes and furniture.
If you cannot access the home early, make childproofing the first priority after the truck is unloaded — before the kids arrive and before the chaos of unpacking begins.
The Childproofing Checklist for Your New Vancouver Home
Go through every room systematically. Here is what to look for:
In the kitchen, lock cabinets containing cleaning products, sharp objects, and anything toxic. Turn pot handles inward when cooking. Keep small appliances and their cords out of reach.
In the bathroom, install cabinet locks on anything containing medications, vitamins, or cleaning supplies. Even natural products can be harmful if ingested by a child.
Throughout the house, cover all electrical outlets with sliding or self-closing covers. Anchor heavy furniture — dressers, bookshelves, and TV units — to the wall with brackets or straps. A child pulling on a drawer can tip an unsecured dresser onto themselves. Install hardware-mounted safety gates at the top of any staircases. Check every window and install stops or guards to limit how far they can open, especially on upper floors.
Do the toilet paper roll test for small objects — if an item fits through a cardboard toilet paper roll, it is a choking hazard. Clear floors and low surfaces of anything small, especially if older siblings have small toys or craft supplies.
Help Kids Feel at Home Quickly
A new home can feel disorienting and unsettling for young children — especially toddlers and young kids who do not fully understand why everything familiar has changed. Set up their bedroom first, with familiar bedding, toys, and comfort items in place before they arrive. The sooner their space feels like theirs, the sooner the whole place starts feeling like home.
Stick to normal routines as much as possible in the first week — same bedtimes, same meals, same rituals. Routine is enormously reassuring for kids during times of change.
Update Your Emergency Information
Before moving day, make sure your family doctor, dentist, and any specialists have your new address. If you are moving to a new neighbourhood in Vancouver or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, find your nearest walk-in clinic and emergency room and save them in your phone. BC’s Poison Control line is 1-800-567-8911 — worth having saved before you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start childproofing before a move? Start as soon as you know your moving date. Order outlet covers, cabinet locks, furniture anchors, and stair gates online ahead of time so everything is ready to install the moment you get the keys. Waiting until after the move means your kids are in an unsecured home while you are still unpacking boxes.
Should I tell my kids about the move ahead of time? Yes — and the earlier the better. Young children handle change much better when they are prepared for it. Talk about the new home in positive terms, involve them in small decisions like picking the colour of their bedroom, and read age-appropriate books about moving. The more involved and informed they feel, the smoother the transition will be.
What do I do if my child is really struggling after the move? Some adjustment is completely normal — expect a week or two of disrupted sleep, clinginess, or acting out. Stick to routines, spend extra time in their new bedroom with them, and give it time. If struggles persist beyond a few weeks or seem severe, your family doctor or a child psychologist can help.
Is it safe to let kids help with packing? Older kids can absolutely help with packing their own belongings — it gives them a sense of control and involvement. Keep young children away from packing tape, scissors, box cutters, and heavy boxes. Never let children play in or around open boxes that could tip or collapse on them.
Still have questions about your upcoming move? Our Vancouver movers are here to help — call us at 604-720-0931 or request a free quote online. Brothers Moving has been proudly helping families relocate across BC since 2008.
Brothers Moving serves Metro Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Langley, Abbotsford, White Rock and Horseshoe Bay. We also serve Vancouver Island including Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River and Parksville, and throughout BC including Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Chilliwack and Prince George.