8 things to do on moving day
Moving is exciting, a new start. It’s also hard work and there is lots to do:
- Change the locks. You never know who might have keys to your new home. Also, make sure all the doors and windows are in good working order.
- Locate the water shut off valve. You’ll be happy to know where it is in case of emergency. Turn on the water and see if you have an emergency.
- Turn on the furnace. On the wall in the furnace room there is usually an on/off switch that is rarely labeled.
- Label the breaker-box switches. To avoid overloading circuits, and to ensure you know which breakers are responsible for which circuits, plug in lamps and radios…and switch off one circuit at a time.
- Make sure you have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. The carbon monoxide detector should be in or near your bedroom. The smoke detector should be in a central place near the kitchen.
- Unpack. If anything is broken it might be covered by your insurance. If you hired professional movers you have limited time to file your claim.
- Plug in night-lights around the stairs and in bathrooms to avoid stumbling around unfamiliar spaces in the dark.
- Meet the neighbors. They are a wealth of information about the neighborhood and will be happy to tell you which day is garbage day.
