Moving Safety: How to Avoid Theft When you are Moving

When it comes time to move, theft is probably the last thing on your mind. You have endless to-do lists, and you just don't have time to worry about the worst. Unfortunately, due to the upheaval of a move, it leaves us quite vulnerable to theft. Here are some ways you can ensure the safety of your items when it comes time to move. 

1. Keep Door Locked 

When we move strangers (movers, repair men, etc) come in and out of our houses continuously. We also may have friends, family, etc coming in and out as well. The traffic increases the likelihood that your door will be left unlocked, or perhaps you will forget to lock your doors. The best way to avoid an easy theft is to keep all of your doors and windows locked at all times. It may also be a good idea to change all of the locks when you move into a new home just to make sure there isn't a stray key into your home out there. 

2. Valuable Items 

Jewelry, cash, weapons, etc. should all be stored safely away where strangers cannot easily access them. As soon as you move in you or trusted family member should put these items somewhere safely tucked away. A safe is ideal for such items, but a locked room or hidden storage area can work just as well. Many people will suggest hiding valuable items in closets, so that is an area many thieves will look first when they break into homes. That is why I urge you all to be a little more creative than that. Just don't be careless by leaving these items out in plain view or where they can easily be found by any unwelcome visitors in your home. 

3. Paperwork 

Another major problem these days is identity theft. Tax returns, bills, etc. should all be tucked away in a locked cabinet or somewhere safe. The valuable information on random pieces of paperwork can give a stranger all the room they need to create a huge nightmare for you down the line. Also remember to shred and throw away any unneeded paperwork that has your personal information on it. 

4.  Medications

Any important medications or toiletries should be moved on your person. Pack them in a purse, glove box, carry-on or whatever, to avoid them being swiped during a move or after. If you do not want to bother with this precaution, I suggest packing them in with clothes, book or some other box where no one would suspect to look for such an item. There is nothing worse than not only not having an important medication available when you need it, but now having to go to a doctor in your new area to get a new prescription. 

5. Alarm System 

I suggest installing and activating an alarm system, like ADT, to protect your home from intruders. Installing it before you even move in is ideal. Moving to a new place can be scary, and this extra precaution gives you a little more peace of mind when settling into your new home. 

6. Make Friends with Neighbors

Being friendly with the neighbor isn't a thing everyone wants to do, but it is a good way to protect your home. In the long run it gives you another set of your eyes on your home. This will serve you the whole time you live in this house

Items to NOT Take with You on a Move

Moving gives you the unique opportunity to sort through needed and unneeded items. It is a great chance to

A Garage Sale is a Great Way to Get Rid of Excess Stuff

throw away, give away or sell items that you don't need. We recommend at least throwing away one trash bag full of stuff as an exercise to clear your stuff of clutter.

The following are items that you should not take with you for various reasons. If you have anything to add to this list, please let us know!

1) Dangerous Goods: Acid, Paint, Fertilizer, Car Batteries, Aerosols, Kerosene, Liquid Bleach are a couple of examples of items that you should not take with you. It is illegal to pack anything substance that is corrosive, explosive or flammable. Moving companies will not even pack these items. Contact your local recycling system or the EPA to find out the proper way to dispose of any of these types of goods.

2) Junk you never use anyways: That box of papers holding all your school work, old tools, unused dishes, books you will never return and clothes are all great candidates to be gotten rid of. We form sentimental attachments to JUNK, but that doesn't mean it isn't junk. Now is the honest time to assess the stuff you have around your house.

3) Furniture: Consider what furniture you will need for your new home, and what you currently have. Different homes require different furnishing, and the chances are you will not need all of the same furniture for a new home. Give some of the old furniture to charity or try to sell it on Craigslist.

4) Old aquariums, pet cages, etc. : If your goldfish or guinea pig kicked the bucket, and you still have the container for the critter just in case, get rid of it! These items can be sold easily on Craigslist or given away to charity.

5) Perishable food: Eat all the food in your house that you can before a move. Make yourself not buy anything a week or two before the move, so that you can even begin to start finishing off non-perishable items. Once you move to your new home you can start a new with your new pantry/food-storing area.

6) Old toys: We love to give our kids everything, and there rooms often reflect the clutter of our generosity. Get rid of some of the toys before the move, especially older ones they don't use much or at all. Do not ask the kids, because even if they do use it chances is they will says no. Give the toys to charities for kids who don't have every toy in the world!

7) Broken appliances. Some people have the nasty habit of saving old electronics, exercise equipment, tools, appliances and other stuff in the hopes they will fix it some day. My grandmother had a collection of broken toasters in her addict. We have a box of electronics we hope to use again one day in our house. If you aren't going to get around to it, now would be a good time to consider recycling or otherwise disposing of it. There is nothing more annoying than moving around stuff that doesn't even work properly.

Happy moving!