What Will My Movers Take On The Moving Truck?
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Are There Any Restricted Items the Movers Won’t Transport?
When planning a move, there are many things to keep in mind, including the types of items that professional movers are unable to transport. Whether due to federal laws, safety regulations, or internal policies, Van With A Man has a list of restricted items that we cannot move. Knowing these restrictions ahead of time will help you plan more efficiently and avoid any last-minute surprises on moving day.
What Items Are Restricted?
The following are categories of items that Van With A Man’s movers are not permitted to transport, ensuring the safety of everyone involved, compliance with the law, and protection of your property:
1. Hazardous Materials
Federal law prohibits the transport of dangerous or hazardous materials due to the risks they pose during transit. These materials are flammable, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous when handled or exposed to heat, air, or other elements. Movers like us strictly adhere to these guidelines to avoid accidents, damage, and potential legal liabilities.
Common examples of hazardous materials include:
- Explosives (e.g., fireworks, ammunition)
- Compressed gases (e.g., oxygen bottles, propane cylinders)
- Flammable liquids (e.g., gasoline, lighter fluid, paints, paint thinners)
- Flammable solids (e.g., matches)
- Oxidizers (e.g., bleach)
- Poisons (e.g., pesticides, insecticides)
- Corrosives (e.g., battery acids, drain cleaners)
- Radioactive materials (e.g., certain medical equipment)
If you have any of these materials in your home, it’s essential to dispose of them properly before moving day or arrange alternative transport if they are necessary for your next destination.
2. Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition are also on the list of restricted items. Transporting firearms requires compliance with local, state, and federal laws, which can be complex and vary widely. For this reason, Van With A Man does not handle the transport of firearms or ammunition.
If you are moving firearms, it’s best to transport them personally, ensuring you are following the appropriate legal guidelines for safe handling and transportation.
3. Perishable Foods and Foods in Glass Jars
Moving companies typically will not transport perishable food items or food stored in glass containers. This is because perishable items, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, or refrigerated goods, can spoil during the move, especially over long distances. Spoiled food can lead to unpleasant odors, attract pests, or cause messes that could damage your other belongings.
Glass jars pose a breakage risk during transit. If they break, they can damage your other packed items and create safety hazards for movers when unpacking. We recommend consuming or donating perishable foods before your move and securely packing non-perishable, sealed items that are easier to transport.
4. Prescription Drugs Needed for Immediate Use
While prescription drugs may not seem dangerous, movers typically do not transport medications that are needed for immediate use. This policy ensures that you always have access to vital medications during the moving process. Keep any necessary medications with you to avoid complications during the move. If you have prescriptions that you don’t need immediately, it’s still a good idea to transport them personally to avoid the risk of loss or damage.
5. Live Animals
It may go without saying, but movers are not equipped to transport live animals. Whether you have pets, aquarium fish, or other small animals, it’s important to make separate arrangements for them during your move. Transporting pets in your own vehicle or using specialized animal transport services is the safest and most comfortable option for your furry (or scaly) friends. Make sure you plan for their needs during travel, including water, food, and bathroom breaks, especially if your move is long-distance.
Valuable and Sentimental Items: Transport Them Yourself
In addition to hazardous materials and restricted items, we highly recommend that you personally transport any valuable or sentimental items. This ensures they remain in your possession throughout the moving process, minimizing the risk of loss or damage. While we take great care with every move, items of significant financial or personal value are best handled by you.
Here are some items you should transport yourself:
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Cash
It’s always wise to keep cash in your possession during a move, as it is both valuable and irreplaceable. -
Coin Collections
Coin collections or any collectibles that hold monetary or sentimental value should be kept with you to avoid loss or damage. -
Family Photos and Keepsakes
Sentimental items like family albums or mementos are often irreplaceable. Packing these yourself ensures they arrive safely at your new home. -
Important Documents
Legal and financial documents such as deeds, wills, tax returns, and insurance policies should be kept with you. Not only are these essential documents, but they also may be needed during the move or immediately after. -
Jewelry
Jewelry, particularly high-value pieces, is both delicate and valuable. Keeping these items with you reduces the risk of them being lost or damaged during the move. -
Moving Documents
Your moving contract, inventory list, and any other essential paperwork related to the move should stay with you. This ensures easy access to vital information if needed along the way.
Movers’ Discretion: Safety First
Finally, it’s important to note that Van With A Man reserves the right to use discretion in determining whether an item is safe and suitable for transport. If there are items you’re unsure about, it’s always best to consult with one of our team members before the move. This ensures that there are no unexpected issues on moving day, allowing the process to go as smoothly as possible.
Have Questions About What We Can or Cannot Move? Contact Us!
If you have any specific concerns or questions about whether certain items can be transported, feel free to ask our team. You can speak with an on-site team member or call our main office at 732-822-0248 for guidance. We are always happy to help and provide you with the information you need to make your move hassle-free.
Moving can be a complex process, but when you’re well-prepared and know what to expect, it becomes much easier. By understanding what items our movers can and cannot transport, you can plan ahead and ensure that your move with Van With A Man is safe, efficient, and smooth.
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What Items Are Restricted?
When it comes to moving, certain items simply cannot be loaded onto a moving truck. This is due to safety concerns, federal regulations, or company policies that ensure the protection of everyone involved in the process, including the movers and your belongings. At Van With A Man, we prioritize your safety, so it’s important to be aware of these restrictions before packing for your move.
Hazardous Materials
Perhaps the most critical category of restricted items is hazardous materials. These items can pose serious risks to people and property during the moving process. Whether they’re flammable, corrosive, explosive, or pose health hazards, these materials can be highly dangerous if mishandled or exposed to certain conditions, such as heat or pressure. Federal laws, along with moving industry regulations, strictly prohibit movers from transporting hazardous materials.
Here are some common types of hazardous materials and why they are restricted:
Explosives
Explosive materials, such as fireworks or ammunition, can detonate unexpectedly if exposed to pressure, heat, or impact. Even a minor collision during transportation could trigger an explosion, putting your belongings, the moving crew, and others on the road at significant risk. It’s best to leave explosives to professionals trained in handling them or to dispose of them properly before moving.
Compressed Gases
Compressed gases, such as oxygen bottles and propane cylinders, are also highly restricted. These gases are stored under high pressure and can become hazardous if the container is damaged during transit. In the event of a gas leak or rupture, they can cause explosions, fires, or even asphyxiation in enclosed spaces like a moving truck. Common household items like aerosol cans, butane lighters, or camping fuel tanks fall into this category.
Flammable Liquids and Solids
Flammable materials can easily ignite when exposed to heat or sparks, making them incredibly dangerous to transport. Gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinners are examples of flammable liquids that are not permitted on moving trucks. Even common household items like nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol can fall into this category.
Similarly, flammable solids, such as matches or certain chemicals, are a no-go for movers. These items can easily combust under the wrong conditions, leading to devastating consequences.
Oxidizers
Oxidizers, such as bleach or pool chemicals, are reactive substances that can cause or intensify the combustion of other materials. If these items spill or leak, they can not only damage your belongings but also create dangerous chemical reactions, especially when in contact with other substances.
Poisons
Certain household items, such as pesticides and insecticides, fall under the category of poisons. These materials can be harmful to human health, animals, and the environment if they leak during the move. Movers typically avoid transporting anything that poses a toxic risk, as it can contaminate the entire load of belongings or cause harm to the moving crew.
Corrosives
Battery acids, drain cleaners, and other corrosive substances can cause severe damage if they spill in transit. Corrosives can eat through packaging materials, destroy other packed items, or even damage the moving truck itself. These materials are also hazardous to human health, causing burns or respiratory issues if mishandled.
Radioactive Materials
While not common in most households, some individuals may have medical equipment or industrial tools that contain radioactive materials. Due to the extreme health risks and environmental hazards associated with radiation exposure, these items are strictly forbidden on moving trucks.
How to Properly Dispose of or Handle Hazardous Materials
If you discover hazardous materials in your home, it’s essential to handle them responsibly before moving day. Many local governments have designated disposal programs for hazardous waste, allowing you to drop off items such as paint, chemicals, and batteries at specific facilities. Additionally, some retailers accept certain hazardous materials for recycling or disposal—such as used motor oil or old propane tanks.
If you need to keep any of these materials for your new home, you should transport them yourself using the proper precautions, such as securing them in suitable containers and ensuring they are well-ventilated. For some items, like ammunition or fireworks, it may be best to leave them behind or dispose of them entirely to avoid unnecessary risks.
For more specific information about how to dispose of hazardous materials safely, contact your local waste management facility or environmental services.
The Importance of Decluttering Hazardous Materials Before Moving
Moving is the perfect time to take stock of what hazardous materials you have on hand and decide whether you still need them. In many cases, people store old cleaning chemicals, automotive fluids, or expired beauty products for years without realizing it. By properly disposing of these items before your move, you reduce the risk of accidents and make the moving process easier for both you and your movers. Plus, you’ll have a fresh, clutter-free start in your new home.
Remember, any materials that could pose a threat to the safety of your belongings or the moving crew should never be packed with the rest of your household items. If you have questions about whether a specific item is considered hazardous, feel free to ask your Van With A Man representative for clarification.
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