When planning a move from one home to another, be sure to protect not only your belongings but also yourself! Here are a few tips to get you through your move safely and efficiently.

1. Get organized early – Avoid leaving anything until the last minute. Unless you have to pack up and leave in a hurry, chances are you have between 30 and 60 days to make a plan and ensure that moving day runs smoothly. Create a countdown list and itemize everything you need to accomplish week by week.
2. Invest in quality packing materials – While free boxes from the grocery store no doubt fit nicely into your moving budget, specially-designed moving boxes and packing materials will stand up better to the task of keeping your belongings safe throughout your move.
3. Keep weight in mind when packing your moving boxes – You’re better off having to move a few more smaller boxes of under 50 pounds each than a fewer amount of large boxes that contain heavier contents, which will not only be unwieldy but can also potentially strain your back.
4. Load the heaviest boxes first – Putting the heavy boxes on the bottom of the moving truck and stacking the lighter ones on top will help protect your back while loading them, prevent your lighter items from being crushed, and also help with the truck’s weight distribution and stability.
5. Seize the opportunity to purge – Moving is a great chance to organize your belongings and get rid of items you no longer use. If the time of year permits, hold a yard sale. Or, take the time to sort and donate gently worn clothing to Goodwill, put furniture up for sale on a site like craigslist.org, recycle old magazines and catalogues and shred old documents.
6. Hire Professionals – Finally, even if you want to save money by doing most of the move yourself, consider professional movers to take care of the heavy, bulky items like appliances and pianos.