Packing Tips: Dishes

Moving across country or getting special china out for the holidays? These tips will help you keep your dishes safe.

  1. Wrap and stack plates in bundles up to four and bowls in bundles of two to three. Wrap china separately before bundling.
  2. Wrap glasses and mugs individually.
  3. Wrap the stem of a wine glass with a folded sheet of paper before wrapping in packing paper.
  4. Wrap items with lids, such as teapots, in paper and then wrap in additional paper creating a bundle.
  5. Pack items in the dish pack lined with crumpled paper, beginning with the heaviest items first. Place bundles of plates and bowls on their side. Build layers separated with cardboard and use cell packs for glasses and stemware, as well as collectibles or other breakables.

See the full article for more tips and a video.

Crown is 100% CARB Compliant – Why it is important

CARB (California Air Resources Board) was established, “to promote and protect public health, welfare and ecological resources through the effective and efficient reduction of air pollutants.” CARB enforces air quality rules and regulations. CARB regulations require a financial investment on the part of carriers and shippers alike: retrofitting trucks for compliance ranges from $10,000-$40,000 per unit. Trucks that are not compliant that enter California can experience delay and fines.

Crown’s fleets (local and interstate) are 100% compliant. We engage only CARB compliant trucks for all domestic and international goods hauling. We invest in our future and the future of California by purchasing the filtration systems on the market to reduce the diesel particulate matter impacting both our state and planet.

More Information on CARB

Furniture Reuse: Case Study

This year Virco, in alliance with Furniture Reuse Solutions and Crown Worldwide Moving & Storage, sent 2,550 surplus items (which filled five ocean containers) to Jamaica. The repurposing of these items saved dumpster costs to the three participating California schools, diverted 28 tons of landfill and provided an improved learning experience to the recipients for years to come.

Full Case Study

Packing 101 Checklist: 13 Essential Steps to More Efficient Packing and Moving

Proper packing will save you time and frustration when it comes time to unpack your belongings.

  1. Start by packing out-of-season items and those things you use infrequently.
  2. Empty dresser drawers of breakables, perishables and prohibited items.
  3. Isolate and protect dangerous items like knives or skewers that might puncture or damage other items (or movers).
  4. Keep all pairs and components together. Place small hardware items in plastic bags and tape them securely to the equipment.
  5. Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle.
  6. Wrap fine china, crystal and delicate items individually in clean, unprinted paper; tissue paper, towels or even facial tissue.
  7. Place a two- or three-inch layer of crushed paper in the bottom of every carton for cushioning. As each layer is completed, fill in empty spaces firmly with crushed paper.
  8. As you fill smaller boxes with delicate items, consolidate them into a single large box, filling in spaces with crushed paper.
  9. Avoid overloading cartons, but strive for a firm pack that will prevent items from shifting. The cover should close easily without force, but should not bend inward.
  10. Seal cartons tightly with tape except for those containing items listed on United’s High-Value Inventory Form. These must be left open for the van operator’s inspection.
  11. As you finish with each carton, list the contents on the side of the and in a special notebook. You might want to number and/or code the cartons as well.
  12. On the label, assign each box to a room in your new home. Tape signs on the door of each room at your destination so movers can get the cartons into the proper rooms quickly.
  13. Place special instructions on cartons you want movers to unpack first at destination.
Where and Why Americans Moved in 2020

United Van Lines’ National Migration Study Reveals Where and Why Americans Moved in 2020

Moving In
The top inbound states of 2020 were:
Idaho
South Carolina
Oregon
South Dakota
Arizona
North Carolina
Tennessee
Alabama
Florida
Arkansas

Moving Out
The top outbound states for 2020 were:
New Jersey
New York
Illinois
Connecticut
California
Kansas
North Dakota
Massachusetts
Ohio
Maryland

View the interactive map and full article.

Winter Safety Tips

While the holidays are a characteristically joyous time of year, they can also be hazardous if simple safety precautions aren’t followed. Learn from the mistakes of the naughty Christmas elf as you and your loved ones celebrate the holiday season.
Naughty-Elf

    1. Do not use electronics near water
    2. Never sleep with electronics under your pillow
    3. Keep batteries safely stored in their packaging they can be deadly if swallowed
    4. Do not leave space heaters unattended when in use
    5. Keep decorations at least 3 feet away from any open flame
    6. Never play with fire
    7. Do not run cords under carpets, rugs, furniture, or out of windows
    8. Do not overload outlets
    9. Sometimes less is more be careful not to over decorate
    10. Always turn off decorations when you’re sleeping or leaving your home
    11. Inspect all decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn
    12. Keep your natural Christmas tree hydrated and water it daily

(Source: United Van Lines)

Winter Moving Tips

Moving in winter has its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to make the move smooth.

Prepare Your New Home

  • Ensure that your new home is ready (check with the real estate agent or the rental property manager)
  • Make sure you have heat and lights for move in day
  • Clear the snow from walkways
  • Check that parking Areas and/or lane-ways are clear

Prepare Your Old Home for Moving Out

  • Clear snow
  • Protect inside space
  • Keep sand/salt and shovels on hand
  • Have hot drinks available
  • Track the weather and have a backup plan (in case of inclement weather)
  • Plan your travel route carefully
  • Get your car serviced and have all the necessary equipment with you
  • Have an emergency contact list with you
Office Move Checklist Tips

Selecting a qualified mover is paramount if you want to have a successful office move. As a member of the Commercial Relocation Network, Crown is affiliated with 50 of the largest office and industrial relocation companies in the country. Members of this group are the best commercial relocation companies available in the United States.

The moving process can be easier than you anticipate, if you follow the plan provided by your move consultant and think about these questions when creating a pre-move checklist:

  1. Have all desks been cleared and emptied?
  2. Have file cabinets been secured and are there spare keys available if original keys are lost?
  3. Have tall supply cabinets and shelving units been emptied?
  4. Have all electrical assets such as computers, printers, monitors, peripherals and phones been disconnected and labeled properly?
  5. Have all printers been serviced and ink cartridges removed if required?
  6. Are all pictures and dry erase boards off the walls and ready to move?
  7. Did you empty and disconnect the break room refrigerator if you have one?
  8. Is all perishable trash emptied?

Full Story

(Commercial Relocation Network)

Tips for Moving with Your Pet

These tips help create a healthy, happy & safe transition to your pets new home:

  1. Take Your Pet to the Vet for a Checkup & Obtain Their Health Record
  2. Locate A New Veterinarian & Transfer Records
  3. Update Your Pet’s Identification & Microchip Information
  4. Make A Transportation Game-Plan
  5. Consider Boarding Your Pet Upon Arrival
  6. Purchase Supplies
  7. Check Your Destination’s Pet Entry Regulations

If you are moving and have pets we can help. We have over 40 years of experience helping people relocate with their pets. For more information on moving with pets click here.