Follow the simple guidelines below to ensure that your possessions are safely and securely packed for moving or storage.

Ready, Set, Pack! Good Packing Means...

		Limiting cartons, when possible, to a maximum weight of 50 pounds to make handling easier.
		Wrapping items carefully.
		Providing plenty of cushioning to absorb shock.
		Using sturdy cartons that close.
		Making sure cartons are firmly packed and do not rattle, bulge outward or bend inward.
		Not mixing items from different rooms in the same carton, when possible.

Checklist of the Basics

		Start with out-of-season items. Next, pack things used infrequently. Leave until last the things you'll need until moving day.
		Empty drawers of breakable, spillable items and anything that would puncture or damage other items and pack these separately in boxes. However, blankets, sweaters, lingerie, bath towels and similar soft, lightweight goods may be left in drawers.
		Pack similar items together. Do not pack a delicate china figurine in the same carton with cast-iron frying pans, for example.
		Keep all parts or pairs of things together. For example, curtain rod hangers, mirror bolts and other small hardware items should be placed in plastic bags, and taped or tied securely to the article to which they belong.
		Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
		Wrap items individually in clean paper; use tissue paper, paper towels or even facial tissue for fine china, crystal and delicate items. Colored wrapping draws attention to very small things. Use a double layer of newspaper for a good outer wrapping.
		Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of a carton for cushioning.
		Build up items inside of the box in layers, with heaviest things on the bottom, medium weight next and lightest on top.
		As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper and add more crushed paper to make a level base for the next layer, or use sheets or cardboard cut from cartons as dividers.
		Cushion well with crushed paper. Towels and lightweight blankets may also be used for padding and cushioning. The more fragile the item, the more cushioning needed. Be sure no sharp points, edges or rims are left uncovered.
		Pack small, fragile, individually wrapped items separately or a few together in small boxes, cushioning with crushed or shredded paper.
		Place several smaller boxes in a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper. Keep in mind the weight of the larger box as you pack.
		Avoid overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting; the cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
		Seal cartons tightly with tape.
		As you finish packing each carton, list the contents on the side of the carton along with the name of the room it was packed from. This provides easy viewing of contents while cartons are stacked. You may want to keep a notebook containing an inventory of your packed cartons, and/or develop a numbering or coding system for your cartons.