MOVING? TEST THE WATERS

LIFE ON THE OPEN SEAS,
A Movers Guide
Here at Blue Whale, we're dedicated to providing safe and secure moves from start to finish. To make your job easier we've put together this handy moving checklist.

One month before the move:

• Fill out a change of address form at the post office.
• Fill out an IRS change of address form.
• Call us at Blue Whale to schedule your move.
• Take inventory of your belongings for insurance purposes.
• Take photos of your items and record serial numbers.
• Make arrangements for pets.
• Finish up your food stores, leaving less to pack or spoil.
• Start packing or arrange to have us pack for you. See our Packing Service

One to two weeks before the move:

• Switch utility services to new address.
• Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine, telephone and cable companies of your move.
• Arrange for extra help on moving day.
• Reserve elevator, if applicable.
• Notify neighbors for van parking purposes.
• Have appliances serviced for moving.
• Clean rugs, bedding, and clothing and have them wrapped for moving.
• Plan ahead for infant care.
• Check with your insurance company to ensure you'll be covered during the move.
• Defrost freezer and refrigerator.
• Place deodorizers in necessary locations.

On moving day:

• Double check closets, drawers, shelves, and attic space for forgotten items.
• Carry important documents and jewelry yourself

PACKING TIPS

• Get supplies: boxes, marking pens, bubble wrap, newspaper, tape, tissue, scissors and so on.
• Use strong boxes and containers that can be secured tightly.
• Purchase special boxes for dishes, wardrobe and other special items.
• Pack audio-visual equipment in original boxes. Label cables and tighten transit screws. If removing screws, tape them to the objects they are removed from.
• Avoid loading more than 50 pounds into one box.
• Label each box and indicate where it should go, if it is fragile and if it should be loaded last so that it will be unloaded first.
• Cushion contents with packing material such as bubble wrap, newspaper or tissue. Save room by using towels and blankets to wrap fragile items.
• Pack books tightly on end in small boxes. If they smell musty, sprinkle talcum powder between the pages and wrap the book before packing. Leave stored for a couple of months to eliminate the smell.
• Have rugs and draperies cleaned before moving and leave them in wrappings for the move.
• Pack medicines in a leak proof container.
• Carry all valuables with you.

For more information on interstate moving, take a look at the American Moving Association's Consumer Handbook.

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GOING GREEN: a plant moving guide

A month before the move:

• Prune plants to facilitate packing.
• Consult a florist or a plant book for special instructions.

A week before the move:

• Place your plants in a black plastic bag, along with a bug/pest strip, conventional flea collar or organic bug powder. Close the bag and place in a cool area overnight to kill any pests on the plant or in the soil.

The day before:

• Place plants in cardboard containers.
• Hold them in place with dampened newspaper or packing paper.
• Use paper to cushion the leaves and place a final layer of wet paper on top to keep them moist.
• If you must leave your plants behind, then take cuttings.
• Put them in a plastic bag with wet paper towels around them.

The big day:

• Set the boxes aside and label them "PLANTS" so they will be loaded last. Close the boxes and punch air holes in the top.

Upon arrival:

• Unpack plants as soon as possible.
• Remove plants through the bottom of the box to avoid breaking the stems.
• At first, do not expose the plants to much sunlight as they have been in the dark.
• Gradually reintroduce them to the light.