We understand that moving is quite a difficult task and trying to figure out what to take and what to leave behind makes the move a little bit more stressful. It also happens that when moving, we always want to take every little thing whether its essential or not, but this is not the right way to go as it is understandably not possible to take everything with you. We have therefore come up with a few tips and tricks of what not to pack when moving.
Follow the tips and you’ll be on the right path to packing exactly what’s needed when moving.
WHAT NOT TO PACK WHEN MOVING AND WHY!
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
This is a very important point to note. It’s always essential to remember all important documents when moving; these include IDs, passports, wills, bill of lading, school records, medical records, titles etc. Important documents need to be kept in your person during the move because packing them in a moving truck could potentially be high loss risk or get misplaced in the boxes and furniture.
It is also important to keep them with you as you may need them during the trip in case of emergency or if something else comes up that needs you to produce identity etc. Therefore; it is VERY IMPORTANT to keep them with you during the move.
BLEACH, DETERGENTS AND OTHER CLEANERS
These can cause major damage and fumes in the truck or even worse, may cause an explosion if mixed with other chemicals while the truck is in motion. This is a danger to the drivers and to the rest of the furniture. It is advisable to leave these behind when moving and buy new ones after the move and as the saying goes “it’s always better to be safe than sorry”.
FERTILIZERS
They are highly flammable and don’t do well in hot conditions so it’s best to avoid packing them as they pose a dangerous risk. If you really have to take them with; consider the weather/season as it may be better to move these items in the winter or ask for a truck with a cooler in order to keep them stable in the right temperature for a safe trip.
FROZEN FOODS, PARTIALLY USED FOOD AND PRODUCE
It is definitely a bad idea to pack frozen foods in the moving truck as they will thaw and lose their freshness. If you have frozen food or open and partially used food and produce, better donate the food to charity, church or give it to the homeless/homeless shelter in your city before the move.
If all that isn’t possible; it may be a good idea to invite friends over for dinner before maybe a day or two before the move and cook as much of that food for dinner as possible. Do not pack any dairy products too as they go bad quickly. It could also help if you stop buying groceries at least one week before moving.
MEDICATION AND MEDICAL DEVICES
Before the move, talk to your doctor and let them know about your plan to move or your pharmacist and have them move your prescription to your new city or home town. Same goes for medical devices such a blood pressure monitor, nebulisers etc, this will make everything easier and less stressful for both you and the movers.
Don’t forget to take medication for your pets and do the same by contacting their vet and letting them know about the move. Also it’s important to remember to keep medication with you during the move for unexpected emergencies or incase you get headache. This can happen as moving is sometimes a bit stressful. It’s better to be prepared for the worst. Take enough medication for your children as well.
GARAGE CHEMICAL
These include car batteries, antifreeze, brake fluid, paint thinner, engine oil etc. Chemicals are extremely flammable and are a very big hazard as they can leak and leakage may cause a fire and explosions; so it’s best not to pack them when moving. Always remember to put safety first for you and the movers as well.
ITEMS OF HIGH VALUE
These are items that the moving company may not be able to replace if anything bad happens during the move. You can use a small safe or box to keep these important items. Examples of the items are:
- Money
- Family photo album
- Laptops and computers
- Social security cards
- Keys
- Jewellery
- Collectables (stamps, coins, game cards)
- Bank cards
You should always keep these with you as loosing them will be a nightmare. Its important to remember not to pack last minute. These should be the very first things you put in your personal bag that you’re taking with you so they don’t end up getting mixed up with the rest of the stuff/ boxes going into the moving truck.
BEAUTY PRODUCTS
Acetone, nail polish remover. Some beauty items are flammable thus they are very high risk to transport. Buy new products once you’ve moved or carry them with you instead.
GUNS AND AMMUNITION
Very important to note this. The law forbids shipment and transportation of guns and ammunition and other explosives. Be prepared and read about the law so you’re aware of gun laws in your state before approaching a moving company for a quote or enquiry. You are however able to transport your own licensed gun and ammunition by yourself. For this reason, it is important to check the law of the state so you know exactly what to pack before moving.
PETS
Your pets cannot be transported in the moving truck because it is both dangerous and violates the law. Proper transportation should be with you in a cage and not with the moving truck. You could also fly with your pet, just make sure you check with your airline for pet transportation rules. Another option would be to contact a professional pet moving/courier company this is possibly the best solution especially if it’s a long distance move. Remember to also take any medication your pet may need during the move .
OLD UNUSED ITEMS
These could be anything that’s “new”, but hasn’t been used or opened in over a year. If you bought something and you haven’t used it in a year it means you forgot about it or don’t NEED it so better give it away to someone who will use it. This will also help declutter what you don’t need.
Some more prohibited items that you must not pack when moving are:
• Acids, ammonia, aerosol cans, deodorants, charcoal, disinfectants, fire extinguishers, fireworks, fuel-operated yard equipment, gasoline, kerosene, petroleum products, liquor (alcohol), pesticides, weed killers, poisons, pool chemicals, propane tanks, dyes, matches, black powder, contraband, adhesives, lighter fluid, varnish and weed killer.
EXTRA IDEAS OF WHAT NOT TO PACK
- Old clothes that don’t fit or that you don’t wear anymore
- Anything broken or none fixable.
- Books that you’re done reading, (donate these to a library or give them away to friends and family)
- Items of no value
We know that some of the items mentioned you probably never think about and don’t ever think they could pose a danger in the moving truck.
Prepare and do as much research as you can before your move not get overwhelmed. We know that moving isn’t easy, so knowing a few tips and tricks will help in a major way and give you peace of mind.
CONCLUSION
All the above are a few very important tips of things you shouldn’t pack when moving. The items mentioned could potentially pose a great risk for both you and the movers. You should put yours and others safety first. The next time you plan a move, make sure you know what not to pack. This will ease the stress and help you plan carefully.
Follow the laws of your state and take everything into consideration including the area you’re moving to and the season.
SUMMARY
Moving companies know what’s allowed to move and what is not. Having an inventory list just to keep a proper record of all your belongings helps you not make the mistake of packing non valuable items. Keep the inventory list with you at all times.
Once you’ve moved in and settled into your new home, it’ll come in very handy. Organising and documenting everything makes a move successful.
At Capital City movers, we are able to answer any questions you may have regarding your move. Our team of experts and professional movers will make sure that you feel at ease and make your move as smooth and stress free as possible. We hope this has helped guide you on what not to pack when moving.
When you’re ready to move, feel free to contact us by browsing through our website for more information or give us a call at (718) 619-4881