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Easing the Transition
to Your New Home
Use the right boxes, and pack them carefully
Professional moving companies use only sturdy,
reinforced cartons. The boxes you can get at your
neighborhood supermarket or liquor store might be
free, but they are not nearly as strong or padded,
and so can't shield your valuables as well from harm
in transit.
Use sheets, blankets, pillows and towels to
separate pictures and other fragile objects from
each other and the sides of the carton. Pack plates
and glass objects vertically, rather than flat and
stacked.
Be sure to point out to your mover the boxes in
which you've packed fragile items, especially if
those items are exceptionally valuable. The mover
will advise you whether those valuables need to be
repacked in sturdier, more appropriate boxes.
The heavier the item, the smaller the box it
should occupy. A good rule of thumb is if you can't
lift the carton easily, it's too heavy. Label your
boxes, especially the one containing sheets and
towels, so you can find everything you need the
first night in your new home.
For your family's safety and comfort
Teach your children your new address. Let them
practice writing it on packed cartons. You can
lighten your load and reduce any storage space you
need to rent by hosting a garage or yard sale.
Fill two "OPEN ME FIRST" cartons containing
snacks, instant coffee or tea bags, soap, toilet
paper, toothpaste and brushes, medicine and toiletry
items (make sure caps are tightly secured),
flashlight, screwdriver, pliers, can opener, paper
plates, cups and utensils, a pan or two, paper
towels, and any other items your family can't do
without. Ask your van foreman to load one of these
boxes, so that it will be unloaded at your new home
first. Why the second box? In case the movers are
delayed getting to your house on the day of the
move.
Keep your pets out of packing boxes and away from
all the activity on moving day.
Let all your electrical gadgets return to room
temperature before plugging them in.
Since you may need to call old neighbors or
businesses from your new home, pack your phone book.
Work hand in hand with your mover
Give the mover's foreman your reach numbers and
email addresses so you can stay in contact.
Read the inventory form carefully, and ask the
mover to explain anything you don't understand. Make
a note of your shipment's registration number, and
keep your Bill of Lading handy.
If you're moving long distance, be aware that
your property might share a truck with that of
several other households. For this reason, your
mover might have to warehouse your furniture and
belongings for several days. Therefore, ask your
mover whether your goods will remain on the truck
until delivered. If they have to be stored, ask
whether you can check the warehouse for security,
organization and cleanliness. |
