Month: May 2022

You’re ready to start packing for your move. But, before you pack, make sure you understand the items movers cannot move. Here’s a list of prohibited and restricted things that professional movers can’t move.

Prohibited Items

A good rule of thumb is that if an item can’t be recycled or disposed of in a regular trash can, movers can’t move it. Movers are prohibited from moving any hazardous or flammable items or toxic substances. Prohibited items include:

• Household cleaning products
• Alkaline and lead-acid batteries (Remove batteries from remotes, toys, and radios before packing.)
• Corrosive chemicals or poisons and lawn and garden chemicals
• Flammables and explosives, including matches, fireworks, and road flares
• Live animals or plants
• Petroleum products, including gasoline cans and other storage containers if they have any fuel in them
• Compressed gas cylinders, including oxygen tanks and fire extinguishers
• Illegal items or substances, such as illegal drugs or any items prohibited under state or federal laws
• Paints, including nail polish
• Ammunition including gunpowder
• Wax candles, especially paraffin candles
• Aerosol spray cans, such as those that contain hair spray, insect repellant, or cooking spray

You may want to dispose of some of these items, such as household cleaning products and lawn and garden chemicals, and buy new ones when you arrive at your destination. In addition, you could take live animals or plants in your car with you by taking some precautions.

Restricted Items

Movers might move certain restricted items if you’ve cleared them with your moving coordinator and prepared them correctly.

• Alcoholic beverages. Movers can transport alcoholic beverages in sealed containers; however, the temperatures in the vans may adversely affect their taste. If you have a collection of fine wines, beers, or spirits, you may want to request a climate-controlled van. Also, some states charge duties on alcoholic beverages imported for personal use.
• Gel-filled batteries if cables are detached and terminals covered
• Cordless power tools powered by lithium-ion batteries if the batteries are removed and transported separately and the terminals are covered
• Scuba tanks, if empty
• Firearms, if unloaded, declared, and documented
• Clean gasoline cans and fuel storage containers if they are empty and have no odor. However, movers recommend against moving these items unless necessary.

Not Recommended

Professional movers typically recommend moving items such as wedding photographs and children’s artwork. They also recommend setting aside personal items such as passports, prescription medicines, financial forms, insurance cards, credit cards, and school records to move yourself. In addition, you should carry towels, toiletries, and a change of clothing in your first-night box.

Seasonal Considerations

Even if some items aren’t on the restricted or prohibited list, you may want to avoid movers putting them in a regular van during extremely cold or hot weather. First, do some research on temperatures along the travel route. Then consider which items will fare poorly in those temperatures and carry them in your car or a climate-controlled van.

Moving Help

Do you need moving help? Contact us for a free moving quote. We can help you get to your new home efficiently. 

Moving to a new home involves multiple lists of things to manage before the big day. Packing the first-night box is essential and while putting that together, remember to pull together a few items for your pets.

The following are six essential first-night box items to pack for them and eliminate the need to make a late-night run to the grocery or drug store.

1. Food

Like everyone else, pets need to eat. Therefore, you should plan to pack enough food to last a few days so that you aren’t left scrambling through boxes to find your pet’s food. Doing this also ensures you can continue to feed them their regular brand since last-minute dashes to the store might result in buying a brand they aren’t used to.

For pets with digestive issues, continuing them on their regular foods can reduce the risk of upset tummies, but even pets without problems may experience upset due to the move—keeping food consistent will probably help.

2. Food and Water Dishes

Packing food and water pet dishes with the food will make it easier to feed Fido or Fluffy. Plus, it avoids needing to use the first thing in a pinch—you don’t want to start rummaging through boxes to only find Grandma’s China bowls to use.

3. Litter Box/Poop Bags

Cats will need a location to do their business soon after arrival. Otherwise, they’ll locate their own place to go, which might be someone’s bed or other undesirable location. Ensuring a kitty litter box, litter, and scooper are readily handy will ensure Fluffy has a place to go.

For dogs, it’s essential to pack poop bags, especially if your dog is walking and not going on your property. Aside from the hygiene factor, many communities have strict laws and fines for not picking up after canines.

4. Collar and Leash

Rather than packing a collar, every pet should wear one before moving, along with a tag that includes your name, phone number, and new address. Then, if your furry friends escape during the chaos of a move, whoever finds them can make certain they find their way home.

Dogs will also need a leash for when you take them for a walk—this is an item you definitely don’t want to go out shopping for in the hour of need.

5. Toys

Not unlike kids, pets will need their belongings to entertain them. So provide plenty of toys for your pets if they like to play, including chew toys and bones for dogs and cat toys and catnip for cats.

6. Carrier

Carriers are essential to ensure your pets are transported safely to the new house or apartment. For example, you should crate dogs and pace cats placed in cat carriers. Be sure to tuck a comfortable blanket or towel in with them to help make the ride more comfortable.

Providing pets the items they need for their basic needs and a few niceties will help give them a better transition to their new home. So many pets feel displaced going somewhere new, but ensuring their first-night moving box is stocked with all the things they need and enjoy will help them feel more at ease.

Get a Free Quote Today!

Are you preparing to move yourself and your pets soon? Contact us today to learn more about our services. We’re happy to provide you with a free quote.