• Destination Communication -- On delivery day you may want a working phone before your goods are delivered and unpacked. Be sure to have a phone with you which can be installed immediately upon your arrival - and of course, you will need to establish a new number and service with your new local phone company.

• For The Record -- Obtaining copies of your medical records, including your dentist, veterinarian and vaccine/immunization information can often be overlooked. In some cases, a notarized letter is required to receive the official documentation; you may need to contact the American Medical Records Association to determine your new state's procedure.

• For The Record II -- Your child's permanent school record cannot follow him or her through life if it's left behind. In addition, school records are usually required when registering your child at their new school. Often, copies will not be sufficient, and records with a raised seal will be necessary.

• Old Phone Numbers -- Pack phone books from your old town. You may think you'll remember the numbers you frequently call now, but more likely, you'll spend a small fortune on directory assistance charges to contact old friends or tie up loose ends.

• Taken To The Cleaners -- Remember to complete transactions with local businesses (for example, picking up your dry cleaning).

• Where You're Moving To -- In the flurry of preparing for the move, you may often forget your forwarding address -- important information when forwarding periodicals and credit card bills, as well as keeping in touch with old friends. Always keep your new address handy in your wallet or purse.

• Spic And Span -- Although your focus will be on your new home or apartment, you can't forget about preparing the old residence for your exit. Remember to leave out cleaning supplies for the final "once-over" before closing the door for good, or make arrangements in advance for a service to clean it for you.

• The Opener -- Many people often forget to take the electric garage door opener out of their car before leaving. Remember to leave the opener for the new tenants or owners.

• Remember Rover -- In most cases, moving companies cannot transport animals or plants. Remember to make arrangements for their transfer, as well. The U.S. Post office has provided information to help you arrange moving your pets. Click here to visit the post office.

• Bank On It -- Many people forget to retrieve important documents from their safe deposit box. It is also wise to establish a checking account in your new town about a month prior to your move so that you have immediate access to your account.

• Keys To Success -- The collection of spare house keys can often be forgotten. Whether it means getting them from neighbors who kept them, or retrieving them from under the rock next to the front door, don't forget to gather all sets before you depart.

• Before you start packing, determine the items you want to throw away, give away or sell.

• Moving is a good time to get rid of items you no longer need. You will save money and have less to pack and unpack. Give yourself enough time to make these decisions.

• Don't just start packing -- plan how you will pack. Pack items you seldom use first. Pack items of similar size and weight together. Don't make any carton too heavy to easily lift.

• Always use proper packing cartons and wrapping materials. Use professional packing tape, which is a wide, strong, clear or brown tape. Masking tape is not strong enough to support the weight of a fully packed carton. Tape all cartons closed on the top and bottom -- don't just fold the end flaps closed. Use crumpled, unprinted newspaper to pack items in boxes.

• Label the contents on the outside of all boxes, along with the rooms to which they should be delivered in your new home. When packing fragile items, clearly mark "fragile" on the outside of the box, with arrows on the sides to indicate the correct upright position.

• Indicate boxes holding essential items, such as cooking utensils, bedding, linens and toiletries that need to be opened first by writing "open first" on the box and making sure these are the last boxes to be loaded onto the moving van.

Certain possessions require specific care when packing. Click on the following items for packing tips:

China | Stemware | Mirrors and glass-covered photos and artwork
Silverware | Lamp shades | Clothes
Small appliances, computers, stereo equipment
Glass jars and bottles | Statuary, figurines, curios
Record albums, tapes, CDs | Antiques, delicate furniture

China
Wrap each item separately in unprinted newspaper, and use a specially partitioned box such as the "dishpak" (available from United).
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Stemware
First, wrap the stems for extra protection; then wrap each glass individually and place upside down in a partitioned box.
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Mirrors and glass-covered photos and artwork
Cross the glass with a series of masking tape "Xs" to help strengthen the glass, then wrap in a generous cushion of clean paper, and place in a flattened packing or telescoping carton.
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Silverware
Nest utensils in groups of three or four, wrap securely and place in silver chest or cushioned box.
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Lamp shades
Handle shades only by the wire frames; place in large boxes. Shades can be nested in one box if separated by clean paper.
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Clothes
Clothes can be folded and boxed. For faster unpacking, you can obtain special wardrobe boxes from your mover, allowing you to neatly pack by leaving clothes on hangers.
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Small appliances, computers, stereo equipment
If possible, pack small appliances, computers, stereo equipment and VCRs in their original boxes. Otherwise, cushion appliances with crumpled packing paper. Tape down moving parts, such as stereo turntable tone arms.
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Glass jars and bottles
Pack with bubble wrap or several layers of paper. Secure stoppers or lids with masking tape to the top of the jar or bottle. Don't move flammable items.
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Statuary, figurines, curios
Wrap generously in bubble pack, wrap in a layer of clean paper and pack in boxes with plenty of crumpled paper or foam packing "peanuts" in between items. Objects with delicate appendages, such as candelabras or figurines with extended arms, should be wrapped with extra bubble pack and surrounded by extra packing material.
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Record albums, tapes, CDs
Stack these items on end so they can absorb shock with less chance of damage. Pack tightly so they're secure and can't shift.
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Antiques, delicate furniture
Movers can supply specially made crates to secure and ship fragile items and antiques.
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New City Information
Moving to a new city brings with it a lot of uncertainty. We have provided these valuable tools to make your research easier.

Search for a home in your new city using Realtor.com. The Official Internet Site of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Search for businesses in your new area using Smartpages or RealPages Internet Yellow Pages.

To research schools in your new area, visit The School Report.

For more information on your new city, visit YAHOO! Get Local.

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Trip Kit
K&S Moving & Storage recommends putting aside essential articles in what K&S Moving & Storage calls a "Trip Kit." The kit, usually made of a moving box small enough for a family to take with them to their new home, acts as a collection point for important papers and necessary items that should not be boxed up during the busy sorting and packing process.

Click here to view a "Trip Kit" Checklist.

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Change Your Address
The U.S. Post Office has provided information to help you notify all of the necessary parties of your move. Click Here to visit the post office.

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Helpful Brochures
United Van Lines has compiled detailed brochures about moving issues. Contact K&S Moving to request any of the following brochures: