Packing a house or office for a move is more than putting everything into boxes. Some items should not travel in the moving truck with your furniture and cartons, particularly products containing fuel, gas or hazardous chemicals.
If you are moving from Altona, check these items before the removalist arrives. It is much easier to deal with them beforehand than to find them during loading. If there is something you are not sure about, tell your Altona removalists before the move gets underway.
1. Petrol, Diesel and Other Fuels
Petrol, diesel, kerosene and similar fuels should not be packed with your household belongings.
Start with the garage and shed. Look for jerry cans, mower fuel, generator fuel and other containers that may have been forgotten during packing.
Fuel needs suitable storage and transport. Check the product instructions and make alternative arrangements where necessary rather than putting the container in a box or loading it with furniture.
2. Gas Bottles and Cylinders
Gas bottles are another item worth checking before the truck arrives. This includes LPG bottles used for BBQs and other gas cylinders kept around the property.
A gas cylinder should not be placed in a carton or loaded with ordinary household goods without first checking the relevant handling requirements.
If you have a cylinder at the property, point it out to the removalist before loading. Garages, sheds and outdoor storage areas are easy places to miss these items when you are packing in a hurry.
3. Paint, Thinners and Solvents
A half-used tin of paint can easily get packed along with the rest of the garage. The same applies to paint thinner, solvents, lacquers, varnishes and some stains.
Some of these products are flammable or hazardous, so check their labels before deciding what to do with them.
For an office move, look through maintenance cupboards and storage areas as well. Paint and solvents can be left behind in areas that are not part of the main packing process.
4. Hazardous Cleaning Chemicals
Cleaning products need a closer look before they go into boxes.
Bleach, corrosive cleaners, solvents and other hazardous chemicals can cause problems if containers leak or incompatible products come into contact with each other.
Keep products in their original containers and follow the instructions on the label. Do not pour chemicals into another bottle just to make them easier to pack.
If a product has a hazard warning and you are unsure whether it is suitable for transport, set it aside and raise it with your removalist.
5. Pesticides and Garden Chemicals
The garden shed can be an easy place to overlook when packing. Check for pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and other chemical products stored for garden maintenance.
These products should not simply be placed in a carton with household goods. Read the label and check the appropriate handling or disposal requirements.
Doing this early also prevents you from finding an old bottle after most of the property has already been packed.
6. Aerosols and Pressurised Products
Aerosol cans come in many forms, from spray paint and insect spray to lubricants and cleaning products. Some contain flammable or otherwise hazardous substances.
Check the label rather than assuming an unopened can is fine to put in a moving box.
If you have several aerosols around the house or office, gather them together while packing and identify anything that needs different handling.
7. Fireworks and Similar Explosive Materials
Fireworks, flares and similar explosive materials should not be packed into a household or office moving carton.
Being unopened does not necessarily mean a product is suitable for transport. These materials can have specific requirements for handling, storage and transport.
If you come across fireworks while clearing a cupboard, garage or storage area, leave them out of the moving load and make suitable arrangements before moving day.
8. Damaged or Leaking Batteries
Give batteries a quick check while packing, particularly loose batteries that have been sitting in drawers or storage cupboards.
A damaged, swollen or leaking battery needs different handling from an ordinary battery. Look for visible damage, swelling or signs of leakage and keep affected batteries away from your packed belongings.
During an office relocation, check equipment cupboards and storage drawers as well. Spare batteries can easily be forgotten when the main focus is on desks, computers and office furniture.
What Should You Check Before Loading?
You do not need to inspect every box repeatedly. Focus on the areas where these products are most likely to be stored.
At home:
- Garage
- Shed
- Cleaning cupboard
- Outdoor storage
- Utility areas
At an office:
- Maintenance cupboards
- Storage rooms
- Utility areas
- Cleaning storage
- Equipment cupboards
Anything containing fuel, gas or chemicals deserves a second look. Keep questionable products out of the main load until you have confirmed how they should be handled.
Talk to Your Removalist Before Moving Day
If you have an item that you cannot confidently classify, mention it when discussing your move. Do not wait until the truck is loaded.
This is particularly useful for a complete house relocation or office move, where the removalist needs a clear understanding of what is included in the load.
Harry The Mover handles complete house moves and office relocations, making it important to provide clear information about the belongings you plan to transport and raise any unusual items before loading begins.
A Final Check Before the Truck Arrives
Once the main packing is finished, take a quick look through the garage, shed, cleaning areas and storage cupboards.
You are looking for anything that has been left outside the normal household or office packing process: a fuel container behind the mower, an old chemical bottle in the shed or a damaged battery in a drawer.
Set these items aside and deal with them before loading starts. That way, the removalist can concentrate on the belongings that are actually ready to go, and you avoid having to unpack a carefully prepared load at the last minute.
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