H Mag - The Handy Mag for Home, Hardware and Home DIY Jun. 2014 | Page 14

14 5) Label Your Boxes Label each box on top and on a minimum of two sides (on all four is even better). Use a large black marker pen so your writing is easy to read for anyone who carries the box. 6) Tools and Work Gloves Pack them last because you may need them first. For the obvious reasons, such as opening boxes. But moving also brings unexpected surprises such as removing a door from its hinges to get furniture through, or hang a few things on the wall while it’s convenient. 7) Lifting and Carrying Everything Big mistake. Put your machismo aside; use hand trucks, dollies, and carpet glides whenever possible to save your back. 8) Forgetting to Secure Purchase ratchet straps, rope, and especially shrinkwrap to secure the load while in transit. Run rope or shrink-wrap around large groups of boxes to keep them from shifting or sliding inside the truck. The load should be secured to the truck and fully inside it so there’s no room for movement. Pay extra attention to entertainment centers, tall cabinets, and anything that can tip over. Cross-lash these items to the side of the truck (that is, secure your rope or ratchet straps in the form an X). Tall stacks of boxes with air space on one side can tip or tumble over inside the truck during a sharp turn, or if you stop abruptly. Reduce the stack, or shrink-wrap the boxes into one mass that can’t move. 9) Stacking Heavy Stuff on Top It’s a simple tip, but one that’s easy to forget. Keep your heaviest boxes and items on the ground, where they won’t come crashing down on you if you move another box the wrong way. 10) Neglecting the Weather If moving day turns out to be bright and sunny, that’s great. But chances are you’ve been planning your move for weeks or months and can’t delay it because Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. Have some plastic sheets and tarps on hand to cover your stuff and protect it from precipitation as you carry it inside. A nearby home center might be a good place to find an entry mat, but be careful about any kind of makeshift one you set up inside the front door. Old towels are okay if you’re not carrying stuff; otherwise, they can become a tripping hazard. If you have a rug of some kind that you’re bringing, and you expect rain, pack it so it can be among the first things you remove.