As if moving isn’t worrisome enough, did you know that there are a few items your movers can't put on the moving truck?
When you select a moving company, they should supply you a list of the articles that they cannot haul to your new residence in Tulsa. They're not aiming to make your life crazier, they are observing the U.S. Department of Transportation statute (49 CFR 100-185) which spells out hazardous materials that are not acceptable to put in a commercial vehicle. There are a few items on the list of non-transportables that aren't hazardous, but that won't withstand being on a closed truck and the moving company won't load.
Considering you're a rational law-abiding individual, it's most likely never dawned on you that you are actually storing dangerous explosives in your bathroom and kitchen cabinets. You have likely glanced around the garage and pondered about your lawn equipment going on the moving truck, but there are lots of other things that are regarded to be dangerous and you'll have to be in charge of getting out of .
Any item with chemicals is a sure bet to be a moving no-no. This is due to the fact that chemicals have a bad tendency of doing bad things if they are mixed with different chemicals, which can easily happen in a moving vehicle. A good rule of thumb is that if you cannot throw the thing in question in your standard trash for pick up, it can't be boxed up and placed on the moving truck. So not only do you need to empty the gas tanks on any lawn equipment (mowers, leaf blowers, weed whackers, etc), either use any fertilizers and grass seed or gift it to your neighbors—a little Miracle-gro and a little leaking gasoline could produce a detrimental result. And what’s worse—any damages are your responsibility due to the fact that you were warned what not to load on the moving van. It is not the moving company's job to check all your boxes for contraband, so be sure that any hazardous supplies-including old paint, batteries, aerosol cans, charcoal, and paint thinner—are NOT packed for the moving truck. The ideal thing to do is transport these items to your local hazardous waste drop-off facility or give them away to someone who can use them.
What about your houseplants? Food? Your dog? If you can believe it, some people have asked that their pets be moved on the moving van—the answer is absolutely not. That the moving company cannot transport your plants might be a tad more shocking. Interstate moves cause a problem in that states keep a watchful eye on foreign vegetation coming in, and you do not want to accidentlly introduce pests to either the moving van or your new home. If plants are being transported more than 150 miles you may need to get a specific permit to move them—so if you're the person who transported in canker worms or aphids, your new state can find you. As for food items in your pantry, only box up new, non-perishable stuff with a long shelf life. Or, donate your unopened canned goods, cereals, and cookies to a local food bank, and start fresh at your new house. Toss out anything perishable or open, unless you are going to pack up coolers and move them yourself.
While your valuables are not hazardous goods or likely to start an ash borer attack, most moving companies are hesitant to transport jewelry, cash, stock certificates and other valuable items. The hazards of being misplaced are too big, take them along with you in a carry on, or place them with other important documents.
Other things you might not recognize is hazardous—nail polish, cleaning supplies, liquid bleach, fire extinguishers—are also not authorized to be moved commercially. Again, anything chemical or flammable is not allowed on a moving truck, so be ahead of the game and dispose of or pack those items by themselves. The best option is to properly dispose of these items and buy everything new after you have moved, so you'll have brand new paint thinner and bleach to go with your brand-new house.
