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. |