On The Move Gals
Tips for Women on the Go
Whatever may be the issue, women have special aspects to consider to. Moving to a new home is no exception to this. Women are more vulnerable to burglaries during the move and after the move. By being prepared and taking some necessary precautions women can ensure their safety and their possessions’ safety.
Careful thinking and planning is essential during all the three stages - before the move, during the move and after the move-of the relocating.
Before the Move
• Inform that you are moving only to those required. If you are moving alone, don’t let it be known to anybody. Tell a lie that you’re not moving alone.
• Ask your house owner not to reveal your forwarding address to anybody.
• Make arrangements with the Post Office so that nothing is delivered to your new home until you reach there.
• Hire a moving company which has good reputation. For this local Better Business Bureau would be helpful. A company with a word of mouth recommendation is better. This will assure the safety of your household goods.
• Arranging a professional hirer for the entire belongings. If and only if it didn’t materialise arrange for a truck to make trips. This needs extra attention and caution from you.
• Never part with high value items like jewellery. Either have them with you or put them in safe deposits of a Bank.
• While packing make a note of what are packed in which boxes. While doing so don’t put explicit labels like ‘Silver’ or ‘Computer’ as it would draw attention to the expensive things. Instead write generally like ‘Bedroom’, ’Dining room’ ‘Drawing room’ etc.
• Visit your new home prior to your moving and get your new neighbours mutually known to each other. This would help your moving and getting settled.
• Long journey may be extracting. Be prepared for that.
During the Move
• As the golden rule goes for the women, never tell your new neighbours that you’re moving alone.
• Have a set of few phone numbers always with you to which may contact in case of emergency.
• Have cash more than what may be necessary. And that too at different places. Even if you loose one the other would be helpful.
• Double check your vehicle whether it will hold for the long trip.
• Consider hiring someone to guard the moving truck and supervise loading and unloading. If you have a bunch of friends that is much better.
• Lock the truck and the home as needed when you unload the things. When you are unloading something at the home if you don’t lock the truck you are inviting trouble.
• Always have an eye on your purse and valuables. It is often usual to misplace these. Be more careful with them.
• Don’t stay alone for long in the new home when unloading. Double check the inventory of the unloaded items.
• Ensure that you have the basic utilities like electricity, gas, phone etc as soon as you arrive. Having a mobile phone is quite handy.
Getting Settled after the Move
• Change all the locks immediately.
• Check that other passages like windows and sliding doors are safe and secure.
• Putting the curtains at once may be impractical. But you can always use blankets to cover the windows till you get the curtains ready.
• Invite a friend to be with you on the first day. This will ensure safety and convenience.
