o  If you are packing, start packing several cartons each day a few weeks before your move; then the job won't be so overwhelming.

o  Pack on a room-by-room basis and do one area of the room at a time. It's best not to mix items from different rooms into one box.

o  To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap small items in colored tissue paper.

o  On the top and front of each carton, write a general description of the contents and indicate the room it will go in your new home.

o  Use colored dot stickers for boxes and in your new home outside the room where the corresponding boxes should be delivered.

o  Allow children to pack their favorite toys. This gives them a strong sense of belonging and a feeling that they’re playing a part in the move.

o  Use only unprinted newsprint paper to wrap items; regular newspapers are messy and can soil your possessions.

o  Use clean cartons designed for moving, as grocery or liquor store boxes are not always clean, sturdy enough, or the right sizes.

o  Don’t pack: paint, varnish, gasoline, oil, cans, kerosene, bottled gas, aerosol, polish/remover, ammunition, cleaners, or detergents.

o  Pack an “Unload Me First” box including toilet paper, telephone, personal toiletries, snacks, coffee/coffee pot/filters, soap, basic tools, flashlight, can opener, paper plates/cups, utensils, pans, and paper towels.

o  Transport the following items yourself: photos, financial documents and policies, legal documents, wills, passports, money, jewelry, collections, medical and family history records.

o  Unpack breakables over the box you're taking them out of; if you drop an item, it will land on packing material and reduce breakage risk.

o  Place pictures in boxes between sheets and blankets to give them added protection.

o  Plates and record albums should be packed vertically on their ends rather than placed flat and stacked.

o  Before packing medicine and toiletry items, make sure that caps and lids have been tightly secured.

o  Remove light bulbs before packing your lamps.

o  In addition to the room and contents, have children write their name and new address on the cartons from their rooms so they can become familiar with their new address before they get to their new home.

o  Pack heavy items in small boxes, and light items in larger boxes.