Cartons, you can buy specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses to clothing and mirrors, from the moving companies. There are different sized and varied cartons for different purposes. Buy only strong, corrugated cartons with covers. Packing supplies and locks are available at location.

Packing Papers, keep wood and other surfaces from getting scratched. You may save up newspaper for use in packing. Tissue or craft paper for delicate packing jobs and corrugated paper rolls for figurines and fragile items. You can purchase packing papers from moving companies, which will not soil your belongings.

Packing tape and bubble wrap, masking tape is not recommended for taping of packages. The best tape is plastic and approximately 1.5 to 2 inches wide. Bubble wraps are very suitable for very delicate, fragile items. Use dark, thick markers for labeling the contents of cartons.

Packing time, before actually packing-up, you need to have a plan. Begin packing well in advance. Start with items least used in your household. Pack one room at a time and write on each carton for designating room and box number. This will help and ease your job when it comes to unpack. Cartons containing fragile or high value items should be clearly marked for your mover, and remember, the heavier the contents, the smaller the carton. Ensure the bottoms of the cartons are well taped to hold the contents. When packing individual cartons, place the heavier items on the bottom, graduating to the lightest items on top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds or less; it makes moving a lot easier. Inform your mover of any high value items. It is best to take the following paperwork and valuables with you, rather than have transported by your mover.

• Cash
• Coin/stamp collections
• Deeds/wills
• Mortgage or rental paperwork
• Stock/bond certificates
• Jewelry
• Family photos or videos
• Contents of safety deposit box

Dangerous or hazardous goods cannot be transported by your mover.

• Aerosol cans
• Ammunition
• Firearms
• Bleach
• Cleaning fluids
• Paints and paint thinner
• Matches
• Lighter fluid
• Batteries
• BBQ tanks
• Pressurized tanks
• Flammable or corrosive chemicals
• Loaded firearms
• Firecrackers
• Flares
• Explosives
• Perishable goods
• Food in glass jars
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Fertilizers containing Ammonium Nitrate
• Live plants

FOR PACKING AND PREPARING SPECIAL ITEMS

Moving Electronics and Large Appliances require special servicing to ensure safe transportation. Consult your authorized dealer or service. All parts should be professionally secured prior to transport. Gas appliances in particular need professional disconnection and reconnection such as air conditioners, dryers (electric or gas), washers

Freezers: These appliances must be completely defrosted one or two days prior to moving. They should be dried and aired to avoid musty odor. Safety of contents cannot be guaranteed, so it is best to empty your freezer. Check with your service man to be sure the motor is bolted, if necessary.

Refrigerators : Defrost and thoroughly dry your refrigerator before moving. This is very important. All removable parts should be removed and wrapped individually. Have your refrigerator serviced. The motor may have to be bolted down before moving. Do not plug it in at the new home until it has been unbolted.

Sewing Machines: These do not need special servicing for local moving. For long distance, the driver should stuff paper in and around the machine and place paper between the lid and base to prevent rubbing.

Stoves: Stoves must be disconnected prior to pickup. Be sure gas lines are shut and capped. For electric ranges, removable coils and all other removable parts must be packed separately.

Television Sets : Some TV sets require that they be checked before moving. Some color TVs must be serviced both before and after moving.

Pianos: It is best to ask your mover if the moving crew is able to handle the disassembly/reassembly of your piano or if a specialist should be hired to do this.

Clocks: I t is important to remove or secure pendulum in large clocks such as grandfather clocks. It should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.

Waterbeds: Your mover may provide special servicing for your waterbed. If you choose to drain and fill the bed yourself, it is best to follow your manufacturer's instructions. Pack in a carton with only soft items such as comforters and linen. Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects.

Mirrors, Pictures and Paintings: Larger framed items, including mirrors, can be specially packed and placed by the movers in special cartons . If you choose to pack these items yourself, wrap mirrors, pictures, paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons, do not place newspaper directly against paintings. Place a masking tape across the glass to help protect the picture against damage should the glass be broken. Place your picture face down on several sheets of packing paper. Wrap the picture completely with the paper and seal the wrapping with tape. Line the bottom of your picture carton with packing paper and slide the picture into the carton. The best way to wrap your mirrors, pictures and paintings is using the large bubble wrap. Do not forget to mark down “Fragile Items” (Painting, Picture or Mirror)

Lamps and Lamp Shades: Before packing the lamp and lamp shades remove bulbs, harps and shades. The harps and finials may be wrapped in packing paper and taped to the inside of the carton. Roll up cord. Place the lamp on several pieces of paper and wrap around the lamp, tucking or taping the paper into the base of the lamp. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper. Place upright in large, tissue lined cartons. No other items should be packed with lampshades, and mark “Fragile-Lamps and lamp shades”

Bureau and Dressers: Clothing may remain in drawers for transport. But ensure the drawers are not overloaded; too heavy a load can cause damage to the drawers. Remove firearms and any items that might break or leak. Remove any fragile or small loose items from the drawers and pack separately. During the loading process, your driver will pad the entire piece to ensure the drawers remain in place.

Computers: The original packing box your system came in is the best choice. The rigid Styrofoam packing material will hold the system securely in place. In the event your original box is not available, your carrier will provide a sturdy packing container and materials.

Before moving your personal computer, there are certain procedures to follow which will protect your system from mechanical failure or damage due to normal physical shock which occurs during transport.

Make backup copies of all your files. Store the backup disk with your original program disks and keep in a secure container. Remove any floppy diskettes from the drives and insert the cardboard disk or an old floppy disk into the drive and close the drive door.

To avoid shock to your hard disk, the recording heads should be "parked" before transport. When Automatic Park and lock systems are powered down, the disk automatically retracts the recording heads from the data area into a safety zone. Other PC systems require the running of a program to activate the park procedure. IBM and most hard-disk clones include the program SHIPDISK.EXE that parks the heads. The program is usually located on the diagnostic diskette that came with the computer. You can run the program from the menu of the diagnostic diskette, or you can copy SHIPDISK.EXE to your hard disk and run it. When SHIPDISK is invoked, the red light of the disk goes on and off, indicating that the hard disk is parked. The hard disk is unparked when the computer is turned back on. Once your drives are secure, you should turn the system to OFF and remove all cables from the back of the unit.

Printers should also be packed in their original cartons. Make sure you remove the ink cartridges and pack them separately.

Medicines: Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with you.

KITCHEN APPLIANCES

It is most convenient to pack small kitchen appliances such as your toaster, can opener, and blender together in one or several cartons. Each item should be wrapped individually in several pieces of packing paper and placed in a pre-filled carton of wadded packing paper. Spaces in the cartons may be filled with smaller items such as pots and pans.

Glasses, Cups, Plates, Dishware: Pack each item with pieces of packing paper, and ensure they are separated with plenty of packing paper when you place them in cartons. Individually wrap your plates and dishware in clean packing paper and place in a carton sectioned off with specially designed dish packs. Label them “Fragile”

Dry and Canned food: Dry foods that have been opened should be securely sealed with tape to avoid spillage. Pack upright with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually and pack in small cartons . . Lids to any jars. Dry food items in breakable containers should be wrapped with several sheets of packing paper.

Silverware: Put silver together and wrap each piece in cloth or blanket as a wrap to prevent scratching them, and then place in a cushioned silver chest or box. Wrap the chest or box in paper.

Garage Items: Cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chain saws and snow/leaf blowers shipped on the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should be ample to protect against severe cold in winter . Arrange for disposal of propane tanks as your mover will not transport them. Long handled garden tools may be bundled and taped together for transport. This is also applicable to curtain rods.

Propane Tanks: Propane tanks are non- allowable. Consult your local gas grill distributor for the safest method of transporting.