- Have a “garage sale” or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
- Donate unwanted clothing or belongings to charitable organizations. Obtain receipts showing the items “approximate value for possible tax deductions”.
- Begin to use up supplies of canned goods, frozen foods and other household items. Buy only what will be used before moving.
Notify your Relocation Coordinator if you have added or subtracted from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply your coordinator with destination address and phone numbers where you can be reached.
Preparing the Family:
- Take the family for a farewell visit to some of the places that hold happy memories.
- Have a going-away party for the children and their friends.
- Have some fun…host an open hour or an informal dinner or barbecue. Keep it simple.
- Make family travel plans. Reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets as needed.
- If driving, have your car serviced for the trip (check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, fluids, belts, etc.).
Preparing Household Items:
- Federal law requires that you dispose of flammables such as fireworks, cleaning fluids, matches, acids, chemistry sets, aerosol cans, ammunition and poisons such as weed killer. Drain fuel from your power mower and other machinery. Discard partly used cans of oil, paint, thinner, bleach, or any other substances that may be flammable or combustible or those stored in containers that may leak. Please read the complete list of banned items.
- Refillable propane tanks must be purged and sealed by a local propane gas dealer. Discard non-refillable propane tanks which are used for barbecue grills.
- All major appliances must be prepared for shipping. Either have this done by a certified technician or have your relocation coordinator set up a third-party company to perform this service.
- Set up a date for having your utilities disconnected. If possible, plan to keep utilities in service through moving day.
- Have rugs and draperies cleaned. Leave both wrapped when they are returned from the cleaners.
- Obtain a written appraisal of antique items to verify value. Avoid waxing or oiling wooden antiques (and fine wood furniture) before moving because some products might soften the wood, making it vulnerable to imprinting from furniture pads.
- Do not clean your upholstered furniture before moving. Moisture could cause mold if furniture must be placed in storage.