In Southern Maryland - Order moving boxes online here!

Packing your household goods.

Use strong containers/boxes that are in good shape. Secure them tightly with a twine or strapping tape.

Use special boxes for dishes, mirrors, frames, and wardrobe items.

Label each box clearly with its contents and mention the following:

Which room it should go in:

Fragile:
Load it last (so it could be unloaded first) Do not load more than 50 pounds in one box, and spread the weight evenly.

Cushion contents with packing peanuts or newspaper to avoid breakage.

Pack books tightly in small boxes.

Have your rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in their wrappings for easier handling.

Remove all breakables and liquids from drawers and pack them separately.

Seal medicines and other containers to prevent leaking and pack in a leak-proof bag or container.

Carry all valuables with you.

Don’t pack jewelry, documents, coins, or stamps collections.

Your bank may be able to move contents of your safe deposit box in the bank, for you.

Important Things to Remember:

Empty the secret hiding places in your home or apartment to remove valuables and spare keys.

Obtain copies of your medical records, including your dentist, veterinarian and vaccine/immunization information.

· Children's permanent school records.

Pack phone books from your old town. This will save you small fortune on directory assistance charges to contact old friends or tie up loose ends.

Complete transactions with local businesses (for example, picking up your dry cleaning).

Notify the post office, magazines, credit card companies, friends and family of your change of address.

Contact utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV) to schedule disconnection of services on the day following your move.

You'll want to have utilities on while you're still in the house.

Call the utilities in your new town to arrange for service to start the day before your move so that you have service when you arrive at your new home.

Leave out cleaning supplies to final exit clean up of the old house/apartment.

Leave the electric garage door opener (if any) for the new tenants/owner.

Make special arrangements for transfer of animals and plants. The moving company you have hired may not have arrangements for them.

Retrieve important items from your safe deposit box.

Make sure that keys for your destination house/apartment are with you.

Cancel any delivery services such as newspapers.

Have your automobile serviced if you’re traveling by car.

Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home’s new occupants.

If your old house will be sitting vacant, notify police and neighbors.

Trip Kit

- First Aid Kit
- Wash Cloths
- Paper Plates
- Special Items for Children
- Canned Goods
- Travel Alarm Clocks
- Can Opener
- Identification Cards
- Plastic Silverware
- Credit Cards
- Snacks
- Wrench
- Cooking Utensils
- Flashlight (check batteries)
- Bottled Water
- Hammer
- Soap
- Keys to Both Old & New Houses
- Styrofoam Cups
- Light Bulbs - Toilet Paper
- Pliers - Towels
- Screwdriver
- Fuses

Here are some suggestions for what you may need immediately upon arriving at your new home.

Cleaning:
- Soap powder (cleaning agents or aids)
- Kitchen cleanser
- Dishtowel
- Paper towels
- Dishcloth
- Steel wool pads
- Sponge
- Window cleaner

Kitchen:
- Paper plates
- Cups
- Plastic knives
- Forks
- Spoons
- Napkins
- Plastic pitcher for mixing drinks
- Small saucepan
- Serving spoons
- Teakettle

Bathroom:
- Facial tissue
- Toilet tissue
- Bath towel
- Shower curtain
- Face cloth
- Bath soap
- First-aid kit
- Aspirin

Miscellaneous:
- Light bulb
- Flashlight
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Pliers
-Aluminum foil
- Shelf paper
- Trash bags
- Twine
- Newspaper

Children:
- Coloring books and crayons
- A favorite toy or two
- Reading materials
- Puzzles
- A small surprise gift

Snacks
- Easy-open cans of pudding
- Sandwich spreads
- Jars of cheese
- Package of crackers
- Instant creamer, sugar, salt
- Dry soup mix
- Boxes of dry cereals, raisins
- Instant coffee, tea, chocolate
- Fresh fruit

CHANGE OF ADDRESS CHECKLIST

Utilities
_____ Electric
_____ Gas
_____ Water
_____ Telephone
_____ Fuel
_____ Cable

Publications
_____ Newspapers
_____ Magazines
_____ Professional
_____ Fraternal

Government & Public Offices
_____ Veterans Administration
_____ Library
_____ City Hall - Garbage & Refuse
_____ State Motor Vehicle Bureau
_____ Post Office
_____ Draft Board

Insurance Agencies
_____ Life
_____ Fire Associates
_____ Auto Clubs
_____ Home
_____ Health
_____ Accident
_____ Hospital

Professional Services
_____ Doctor
_____ Dentist
_____ Certified Public Accountant
_____ Lawyer
_____ Broker

Established Business Accounts
_____ Dry Cleaner
_____ Bakery
_____ Drug Store
_____ Diaper Service
_____ Department Stores
_____ Water Softener Service
_____ Dairy
_____ Service Stations
_____ Laundry
_____ Banks
_____ Finance Companies
_____ Automobile Agency
_____ Real Estate Agency

Miscellaneous
_____ Relatives, Friends
_____ Business Associates
_____ Book & Record Clubs
_____ Organizations & Clubs
_____ School
_____ Your landlord, if you are a tenant
_____ Your tenants, if you are a landlord

STORAGE TIPS

Make a list of the items you will be storing. This will help to determine the storage space you will require. Store the most used items at the front of the unit where you can get to them easily.

Plan and envision the arrangement of items within the storage unit before starting moving in the units. Leave a center isle for easy access.

Never store hazardous material such as industrial chemicals, explosives, flammable liquids and fuels in the storage unit.

Do not store food or any other perishable items that may attract pests.

Keeping your items off the floor using pallets, plywood, corrugated cardboard mats will improve ventilations.

Make shelving to help organize your space.

Label boxes on all sides and keep a list of contents in each of them.

Fill all boxes completely to avoid tipping or crushing when stacked. The heaviest box should go at the bottom.

Dismantle tables, beds, cabinets and other heavy pieces. Wrap and label appropriately to re-assemble easily.

Take apart lawn mowers and snow blowers, and make sure that all the fuel is completely drained out.