LABELING

To minimize confusion and to make retrieving items from storage easier, keep these important and helpful tips in mind:

Every room will have boxes that contain essential items that you need immediately and boxes of items that can be unpacked at a later time. Label the boxes in order of unpacking priority. For example, Kitchen #1 would indicate that the box is for the Kitchen and needs to be unpacked first. The less essential kitchen items would be in a box labeled kitchen #2, #3 and so on.

Label all boxes clearly so you can identify the contents and keep an inventory. Label them on more than one side so you can identify them quickly. Mark "Fragile" on any boxes containing breakable items.

Avoid marking or labeling over a seam of closure or on top of sealing tape.

On the top and front of each carton, write a general description of the contents and indicate the room from which it came or which it will go in your new home. Use different colored dot stickers for each room; then, at your new house, hang a balloon of a corresponding color outside the room where you want the color-coded boxes to be delivered.

Identify the "Top" of fragile boxes if the contents might be damaged by storing the box on the sides or bottom. The "Top" should be the most stable orientation of the package as it rests on a flat surface.

Every item to be moved must have a label on it.

Mark "Heavy" on all boxes over 30 pounds to warn the mover and hopefully avoid strained backs.