- Gather boxes in small sizes from friends, neighbors, stores and the office.
- Collect cushioning materials such as bubble wrap, styrofoam pellets, furniture pads, old blankets, plastic bags, tissue paper, newspaper, and small towels to use as padding inside boxes
- Create a "portable packing kit" with markers, tape measure, packing tape, twine, and scissors. Carry it with you as you pack up items around your home.
- Reinforce the bottom of boxes with extra tape for added strength
- Label each box with the name of the room in your new home where it should be placed.
- List the contents of the box on the side of it.
- Number the boxes and keep a list of which boxes go in which room in your new home.
- Label boxes containing fragile items with large red lettering.
- Place china in plastic bags and stack plates upright on their sides, not flat.
- Pack your TV, stereo, and computer in their originals boxes if possible.
- Keep boxes to 50 pounds or less.
- Pack heavy items into their own smaller separate boxes and combine lighter items together into larger boxes. (don't combine heavy items such as books, all into one box)
- Don't move flammable, combustible, corrosive, or explosive items such as paint, gasoline, and ammunition.
- Pack a bag of personal items you'll need during the move such as a change of clothes, toiletries, medicine, maps, food and drinks. Keep it in an easy to find place.