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Health & Fitness

A New Mover Safety Checklist

Make the moving process secure and easy

This blog post is sponsored by ADT.

Moving to a new home is not a one-day event – in fact, the moving process can take up to three weeks. Careful planning will make your moving day hassle-free and safe. Here are some things to add to your to-do list when making that move.

1. Say goodbye to all your junk. It’s time to discard that old, ugly lamp that you never really wanted anyway.  Take this opportunity to dispose of all the stuff that you don’t really need (and don’t like) and to donate everything else not moving with you. Visit places you don’t regularly go to, and by that, we mean your basement and attic. If stuff there is still in boxes, chances are you don’t want them anyway. A good time to do this is about three weeks before moving.

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2. Update all your records. Ensure that your family’s medical records and school records have been picked up or transferred two to three weeks prior to the move. Leaving it to the last minute will just add to your stress levels. And, don’t forget your pet’s medical files!

3. Clear all your dues. Ensure that you’ve returned library books, cancel or transfer newspaper subscriptions, transfer utilities and auto registration and pay all your bills.

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4. Some of your packing can be done in advance! You don’t need to wait until moving day to begin packing items like the tools in your garage, out of season clothes, pots and pans that are not used regularly etc.

5. Some things should definitely not move along with you.  So, start eating food that cannot be moved and use or give away cleaners, disinfectants and bleach. It’s not safe to take these with you, as they might be flammable.

Through it all, create a moving calendar three weeks before moving. Add all the jobs that need to be done and when they need to be done. Keep updating this calendar on a weekly basis and ensure that things are staying on track. The more detailed the plan, the better!

For more safety and security tips, visit ADT's Home Security Source website. Check out ADT on Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube for more information.

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