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MOVING TIPS
If
you're among thousands of people who have picked up and moved their
family to a new home or a new community, you have fresh memories
of some of the ups and downs or thrills or frustrations of moving.
Drawing
from personal experience, we know there are lots of ways to help
make your household move easier and smooth. here are a few suggestions
to help get your life, and your possessions, organized for a peaceful
and exciting move.
1.
Make A List
Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack
even one box, create a simple record keeping system. Create a computer-printed
list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Or have a spiral-bound
notebook for the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack
and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless
it's in a place you'll call Packing Central. This is where you'll
find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies.
2.
Have Plenty Of Supplies
You'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes than you think, and
having enough boxes will make your life easier! Have about 10 boxes
set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding,
clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing
tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper
can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and
cushion household good. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than
you think, so get extra so the packing can go smoothly.
3.
Color Coordinate
Designate a color for each room in the new home, such as yellow
for kitchen, orange for dining room, etc. Apply colored stickers
on the box near the box number. In your new home. Put a matching
sticker on the door to each room. The movers will know where to
put everything when they arrive at the destination. It's also helpful
to post a big sign on the wall in the room where you want boxes
stacked, ("Boxes here please") to keep them out of furniture and
traffic areas.
4.
Keep Things Together
Insist on keeping things together when you or the movers are packing
boxes. Keep bookends with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension
cords with appliances. Small, loose parts can be attached to the
item they belong to with tape or placed in small envelopes -- to
keep picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase,
a special wrench and bolts with the wall unit. Keep larger corresponding
items (such as a cable TV cord) in Ziplock bags, and tape these
to the underside or back of the item. As a backup, have a "Parts
Box" open on the kitchen counter and fill it with cables, cords,
parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items
of furniture. Keep this box with you, or mark it well with a rainbow
of colored stickers so it can be easily located on move-in day.
5.
Pack Ahead
Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. If
it's summer, get your winter clothes out of the way. You don't really
need 5 radios or TV's around your house for the last few days there.
Box up your shampoo and extra toothpaste and live out of a travel
cosmetic case for the last week or two. Pare down cooking utensils
and food supplies to bare essentials. Wastebaskets can also be packed
(put things in them!) while you switch to using plastic grocery
bags (hang them on a cabinet door or door handle to collect trash.)
6.
Consolidate Cleaning Supplies
If you must clean your old place after moving out, put together
a kit of basic cleaning supplies and rags. Clean anything possible
ahead of time (the inside of kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows,
etc.), and if possible, vacuum each room as movers empty it.
7.
Packing Suggestions
- The
heavier the item, the smaller the box it should occupy. Don't
toss everything into one huge box. It will make the hauling much
more difficult. Keep the weight of each box under 50 pounds.
- Do
not pack hazardous materials. These items include: paint, thinners,
solvents, oils, varnishes, firearms and ammunition, bottled gas,
propane, lamp oil, anything flammable, explosive, or corrosive,
motor fuels and oils, nail polish remover, bleach and aerosol
cans.
- Label
the sides of your boxes as well as the top. Your boxes will be
stacked making it difficult to read what's written on top.
- If
you are moving your refrigerator, be sure to empty all of the
contents including the ice maker.
8.
Safeguard Valued Items
It's a good idea to keep valuable possessions, such as silverware,
collections, or antiques, with you. If you have a long move and
no room in your car, bury the items in a box titled "Misc. from
kitchen pantry". Either way, check your homeowner's insurance to
see how you are covered during the move, and if you need additional
moving insurance.
9.
Keep Important Papers With You
Your list of "important" papers might include: birth certificates,
school records, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent
bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor
info, maps, and more. Keep them with you!
10.
Personal Boxes
Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let
each family member fill theirs with items they'll want "right
away" in the new home -- a set of sheets, a towel, a couple
of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address book, pens and
paper, keys, Kleenex, travel cosmetic case, and so on.
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