Stairs present a unique challenge when moving any thing up or down them. Heavy or awkwardly large items can be hard to maneuver on stairs and can be potentially dangerous. Having another person to help is crucial as are proper preparation and lifting techniques. Whether it is a mattress, appliance or piece of furniture, safety is one of the utmost concerns during stair moves.
Remove drawers, loose parts and other components from the heavy furniture or object. This will lighten the load and prevent things from falling during the move.
Clear the moving path including down the stairs. Remove furniture, paintings, lamps and anything else you might bump into during the move. Map out the moving path before moving the object. This will minimize the risk of tripping over things or having to twist your body around when moving.
Stand at one long end of the object. Have another person stand at the other end. You should be positioned on the shorter width ends of the item so the item is narrower moving down the stairs.
Grasp a lower part or under the bottom of the heavy object and have the other person do the same at the same time.
Bend at the hips and knees when lifting the object up. Keep the object close to your body and use your stomach muscles to aid in supporting your lifting.
Move slowly down the stairs. Stop on landings to rest and reposition the object as needed. In some cases if there are turns in the stairs you’ll need to have the back end of the object lifted upwards while you maneuver the front end around the turn.
Use care when lifting. If you feel pain while lifting, slowly lower the object and get someone else to do the lifting for you.