Packing Tips

Some things should stay with you as you move, such as:

• Cash, securities, jewellery and furs
  
  
• Personal papers like birth certificates, insurance policies and deeds
  
  
• Coin and stamp collections and special family photographs
  
  
• Documents related to your move
  
  
• Firearms accompanied by the licence. In accordance with the licence these will need to travel in a locked case

Doing your own packing? Here are some professional tips:

• Wrap fragile articles the way the professionals do; use 2 layers of newspaper per glass, dish or figurine. Wrap firmly but loosely enough to provide a cushioning effect
  
  
• Don't overcrowd boxes - pack them so that articles cushion each other. The top of the box should close with slight pressure
  
  
• Do not mix incompatible items such as books and glassware
  
  
• Pack glasses standing on end, upside down and not on their sides. Stack plates and dishes on edge rather than flat and fill empty spaces with wads of scrunched newspaper
  
  
• Before packing crockery, line the bottom of the boxes with crumpled paper or polystyrene pellets
  
  
• Tape boxes across tops and edges and seal every opening tightly
  
  
• Pack up your belongings room by room and label the boxes accordingly to make unpacking easier. Also mark each box with your contact number and destination address
  
  
• Mark items that you will need straight away in your new home with "unpack first" and label only truly delicate items "fragile"
  
  
• Do not pack paints, turpentine, pressurised cans, corrosive items such as bleach and caustic soda or any flammable substances - give them to your neighbour. Whilst British health and safety legislation has become ridiculously restrictive, you can still purchase interesting chemicals in Europe quite freely!