How You Can Protect Your Possessions Going Into Temporary Storage During A Long-Distance Move

Relocating to a new home is hard work, but it becomes especially difficult if the move is far away and in stages. Sometimes it is necessary to keep possessions in temporary storage as housing arrangements are being made, and that process can be frustrating if you aren't on top of it all. Keeping items secure from theft, protecting them from the environment, and having do without items are a few of the challenges you may face. That's why it is important to anticipate some of these possible problems that go along with keeping your goods in long-term storage and develop a plan of action. Below are a few things you can do to make temporary storage less stressful on you and your possessions:

Know what not to move

One of the first things you should before moving with an anticipation that items will be placed in temporary storage is to know what and what not to pack. Some items are simply not appropriate for being moved if they are going to be placed in a storage facility during the move. Here are a few you should keep segregated and either move yourself or ship to your permanent destination shortly before you are to arrive:

• Precious metals and expensive jewelry

• Firearms and ammunition

• Extremely fragile valuables

• Household chemicals

• Non-canned food items

• Plants or live animals

Remove batteries from electronics

If you have ever left batteries in an electronic device for an extended amount of time, you may have encountered the problem of leakage. Over time, disposable alkaline batteries left installed in a device will generate hydrogen gas during the slow process of self-discharge. The expanding gas causes the batteries to burst open at seams and permit fluids to escape. These acidic chemicals can ruin your electronics if allowed to seep inside them.

That is why you should remove any batteries from electronics before packing and moving. Though other types of batteries, such as lithium batteries, are less prone to leak, it is still wise to remove them to prevent possible mishaps. When packing the batteries, just be sure to place them in a single container to make locating the batteries easier after the move.

Protect your items from heat, cold and moisture

Another precaution to take when you know your possessions are going to be stored temporarily is to protect them from environmental extremes. Don't forget that the storage period may be longer than a single season, and as a result, you should pack your items so they won't be damaged by both heat and cold. For example, wrapping items in insulating foam and layering them with reflective foil can form effective barriers to keep both the heat and cold away.

In addition, moisture can be a problem in some locales, so seal up sensitive items in large plastic bags to protect them from water intrusion. If practical, you can also wrap an entire carton with plastic sheeting to keep each item in the box safe.

Identify, label and inventory your containers

It's always wise to carefully label boxes when packing, but it is especially important to label your cartons and other containers for a long-distance move. Otherwise, it becomes more likely you will be unable to locate your possessions once you finally relocate. Be sure to use brightly-colored labels with legible printing, and avoid the use of abbreviations which might be forgotten or be difficult to decipher later during the unpacking phase.

In addition, always inventory your cartons and containers by numbering them and making a master packing list. This will help you and the moving company track down any specific containers that disappear during the transitions between storage facilities, vehicles and homes.

For more tips about tackling a long-distance move, check out websites like http://christoffersonmoving.com.