Relocating can pose challenges, whether it’s within a specific city like NYC or in different locations. The process of moving can be unsettling, costly, and time-intensive, and safeguarding your belongings is a top priority.
Moving can be a total mess and sometimes we forget to keep our stuff safe. We might forget to lock doors or make sure our things are secure during transportation. Plus, there’s always a chance of hiring sketchy movers which can make things even more stressful.
In this article, we will outline straightforward guidelines to ensure the safety of your belongings throughout the moving process, regardless of your destination.
1. Never Leave Your Stuff Unattended
One of the most important things to remember is to never leave your stuff unattended. Moving can be super stressful and distracting, so it’s easy to forget about your valuables. Even though you wouldn’t normally leave your expensive stuff just lying around, moving can make you forget.
And when you’re not paying attention, someone could totally snatch your stuff. If you’re doing a DIY move, make sure someone is always keeping an eye on your things. Whether they’re in your house or being loaded into a truck, having someone there will make it way less likely that someone will try to steal your stuff.
2. Hire A Legitimate Moving Company
Opting for a trustworthy moving company is vital. Although the majority of moving companies are reputable, there are a few that might mishandle your belongings. To steer clear of such issues, follow these guidelines:
- Research Online Feedback: Take the time to explore online reviews of the movers you’re considering. Pay attention to negative reviews and any mentions of lost or stolen items. These indicators could signal a company to avoid them.
- Arrange a Face-to-Face Meeting: Before you decide, ask to meet with someone from the moving agency in person. This lets you see how they do things and make sure they’re really a trustworthy company.
- Demand Documentation: Verify the licensing and insurance of your chosen moving service. Ensure their contracts outline specific legal remedies in case of theft, loss, or damage to your possessions.
These 3 simple steps will eliminate almost every shady moving company out there – and help you choose a legitimate, above-board company for your moving needs.
3. Leaving It Alone? Lock It Up
Security measures such as the locking of doors and vehicles are universally applicable, regardless of one’s location, be it any place. It is imperative to secure your van, truck, or car with its built-in locks whenever it is not in use. This practice is essential in deterring potential theft.
Similar to your vehicle, the security of your apartment is of utmost importance. It is recommended to develop a habit of locking all doors and windows when you are away. Although this may cause some inconvenience, it is the primary method to prevent unauthorized access and protect your belongings.
It may be inconvenient to constantly lock and unlock doors and windows, but doing so is the only way to prevent a thief from simply walking into your unlocked apartment, or stealing something from your rental.
4. Conceal Valuables During Relocation
Concealing valuable items is a prudent measure. Follow these steps to safeguard your possessions:
Secure Valuables: Prioritize safeguarding valuable possessions such as laptops, jewelry, and medications. Pack them inconspicuously within boxes and consider covering them with blankets or fabric.
Minimize Visibility: By ensuring your valuable items are not readily visible, you diminish the likelihood of attracting unwanted attention from potential thieves. This proactive approach significantly lowers the risk of theft during the moving process.
Employing these strategies will help you mitigate the chances of theft, enhancing the security of your belongings throughout the moving endeavor, regardless of your destination.
5. Minimize The Total Time
The longer it takes you to move, the more opportunities there will be for thieves to take your stuff – it’s just that simple. The best way to avoid this is by minimizing the total time you spend moving. Here are a few easy ways to do so:
- Move some stuff in advance – If you can move clothes, small items, and valuables to your new apartment before your lease begins, you should do so. You can simply take public transport or hire a cab with a few suitcases, and unload them at your new place. This will reduce the amount of stuff you have to move all at once, and ensure the safety of your most valuable items.
- Get help if you’re doing a DIY move – Got favors to call in with friends and family? Good! Many hands make light work, and if you have a few people to help you move, you can reduce your total time spent moving by quite a bit. Consider bribing friends and family with beer, pizza, and wine after the move – they may be more likely to help out, if you do!
- Take only one trip – If you pack wisely and rent the right-size truck or van, you should be able to get all of your stuff moved in one trip. This is ideal – you don’t want to leave anything behind, or have to spend a bunch of time unloading and reloading your rental.
- Hire professionals – Hiring professional local moving services is expensive – but it’s the best way to minimize the time you spend moving. Local movers will be able to quickly and expertly move your stuff, and full-service companies can even pack it for you. If you’re truly concerned about theft, this is the best way to minimize the time you have to spend moving.
6. Avoid Identity Theft
You shouldn’t just be worried about your physical stuff – moving is the perfect time for identity thieves to get their hands on your personal information. When you’re moving, you throw a lot of stuff away. Bills, bank statements, credit card notices, old tax documents – much of this waste has valuable personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, and more.
If you throw away these sorts of items during your move, you should shred them – it’s the only way to be sure that you’re protected. You should also file a change of address ASAP with the USPS, to minimize the loss of important mail.