Moving! Most of us love the idea of a new adventure but when it comes to packing and unpacking, we have different thoughts. Usually, it is those last minutes items that we don’t know what to do with that can be a problem. We hurriedly toss things in a box and watch as it is loaded onto a moving truck and think how all will be well. But it may not be!
Things your movers won’t move!
There are things that professional movers will not allow on the truck! Most movers provide a list of items that they won’t move.
While some things are obvious like loaded guns, propane tanks, gasoline, and highly flammable chemicals, some things on the “do not move list” can be surprising! More surprising is the fact that people try to “slip” things on the truck to lessen their need to carry more with them.
Dangerous chemicals are just that—dangerous to your moving team and to you. But there is more. Things like valuables that movers won’t touch.
The Do Not Move List:
No Chemicals, Cleaning Supplies and Flammable Materials
Here’s a short list of items that your short and long-distance moving companies probably won’t move. Always check with your relocation movers for a complete list so you can enjoy your moving experience!
- First on the list is chemicals including cleaning supplies, nail polish and nail polish remover You can’t pack Windex, bleach, and other cleaning supplies. Some of these products contain flammable materials. Movers also are concerned that these items will leak and damage other items on the truck.
Also, thinking of throwing all that nail polish in a box? Think again. Movers won’t move your nail polish remover or your nail polish. That’s because both products are extremely flammable under certain conditions (such as exposure to an open flame or even heat). If you’re moving far away, we suggest tossing them and replacing them once you arrive at your new home.
No Food, Fireworks and Firearms
Also, if you have a young scientist in your home, they’ll have to toss their chemistry set (or gift it to a friend or school). Chemistry sets come with components designed to create chemical reactions, chemical transformations, electric currents, combustion and, according to one package description, “explosions!”
- Fireworks No surprise here: fireworks are dangerous at any location let alone on a moving truck! While the heat from being enclosed in a hot truck alone won’t set them off — fireworks contain black powder, which is 10 percent sulfur, 15 percent charcoal, and 75 percent potassium nitrate. Additionally, they contain coloring elements such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and beryllium.
Plus, when it comes to fireworks, every state has its own regulations. Movers don’t have time to figure out whether the fireworks you own are allowed in your new home state and whether they can legally transport them there. When in doubt, transport items like this yourself!
- Firearms and ammunition This is another hazard you need to transport yourself. Firearms and ammunition should stay under the watchful eye of the owners. It doesn’t matter what type of gun it is, what size it is, and whether you’re just transporting the ammunition. As with fireworks, each state has its own regulations. The best and easiest thing to do is to entrust your firearms and ammunition with a federally licensed firearms dealer who can ship them to you.
- Food Toss the leftovers! Movers are not able to keep perishable food items cool during a move. So, unless you plan on packing everything into a large cooler and driving it to your new home, you’re better off ditching items such as milk, butter, yogurt, ice cream, frozen treats and fresh produce before moving day. Anything that’s already opened should be tossed as well.
However in most cases, moving services are able to move unopened non-perishable items, such as canned goods, soups, rice, pasta – and basically anything else left in your pantry.
No Outdoor equipment
- Outdoor equipment Generally, you can move your lawn and outdoor equipment, such as a generator. Just be sure to remove gas and oil several days before loading it onto the moving truck. This will allow you time to dispose of the gas and oil properly following environmental regulations.
But you may not be able to move your lawn and pool equipment. Acids and treatment chemicals qualify as hazardous materials and should be disposed of before moving day or left behind for the new owners. The same is true of weed killers, fertilizers, and pesticides. If you’re unsure whether you can move a product, be sure to ask your moving company.
No Pets?
- Pets! Most people understand this one! Moving companies won’t move your dog or cat. Animals of any kind cannot survive a move because moving trucks are not climate-controlled, there’s no fresh air, and there’s a risk of items falling and injuring your pet.
There are pet relocation services that can help. Many can transport animals other than just dogs and cats. But it can take more research to find an expert who can ship a pet turtle!
And none of these other things?
- Scuba gear Believe it or not: people want professional moving companies to move Scuba tanks. These are composed of highly pressurized oxygen and can contain specialized gas mixtures as well. Unfortunately, given that pressurized air can explode, scuba tanks can be a danger to those nearby when not taken care of or handled correctly.
- Outdoor Grilling supplies While your movers can transport your actual grill or smoker, some of the items associated with them can’t be moved. Since charcoal and lighter fluid are extremely flammable, you won’t be able to take them with you. And if you use a gas grill, your propane tanks will have to be empty before they can be loaded on the moving truck.
- Liquor Your movers may refuse to transport your alcohol. Liquor laws vary by state, and some states have restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can bring with you into the state for personal consumption. Not to mention alcohol is flammable. If you pack it without your movers knowing and it ignites, you could be liable for the damage.
And of course, No Plants, Family Heirlooms, High-value items
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and plant health agencies in each of the 50 states “regulate the shipment of nursery and greenhouse stock in an effort to minimize the spread of harmful insects, diseases, and other pests.” So, before you start packing those plants for the move, make sure to check with your State Plant Regulatory Official first. For a local move, we suggest packing and bringing the plants yourself.
Whether monetarily expensive or sentimentally valuable, you’ll want to pack and take family heirlooms with you personally. That’s because some moving companies have policies regarding valuables and sentimental items.
The same thing goes for such things as money, checkbooks, expensive jewelry, and collectible art. Depending on how much you spend on your electronics, the company may not move those either. And that valuable baseball card collection? Forget it. That’s because if you decide to purchase full-value protection, your mover will be on the hook for the actual cash value of any non-repairable or lost items.
High-value items are not limited to those that are worth a lot of money. Your movers should not move your important documents, including medical records, and anything with sentimental value. Plan to bring photo albums and other irreplaceable items with you and check with your moving team before your moving date to make sure what is safe to move and what is not.
Are you in the market for a mover in Alabama? Lambert Moving Systems is one of the top companies for moving in Alabama. We’ve been around for 90 years. Find your location below to get in touch now!
Moving can be a fun experience! Begin with the right plan, and it will go smoothly!
Photo from Pexels.com by BrettSayles
