What Goes In Your Do Not Move Box?

The Do Not Move Box is the box or boxes families use to contain items that aren’t going to travel in the moving truck.

During a move, you may not have ready access to the items that are packed and transported in the moving truck for a prolonged period of time. For a neighborhood move, this can be as little as a few hours, but if you’re moving a longer distance or internationally, you may not be able to access your possessions for several days.

Any items you need on a daily basis should travel with you in your Do Not Move Box. This can include:

• Prescription medications
• Over the counter medications & vitamins
• Contact lens cleaning solution
• Hygiene items, such as deodorant, toothpaste, etc
• Makeup and cosmetics
• Chargers for your smartphone & other electronic devices
• Infant needs, including diapers, wipes, formula, pacifier
• Children’s favorite toys, including stuffed animals needed to sleep at night
• Car keys
• Keys to the old and new house
• Vital family paperwork, including birth certificates, social security cards, insurance policies
• Contact information for people you’d want to reach during an emergency
• Any pet needs, including pet medication and treats
• Valuable items, such as jewelry or gold coins

If your move will involve significant travel over the course of one or more days, it is a good idea to have every family member pack an overnight bag with clothing, shoes, accessories and other items as needed. When packing for infants and toddlers, it’s a good best practice to overpack: you never know when someone will need a total head-to-toe change! Remind older children and teens about any differences in the climate you’re moving to, so they can pack appropriate clothing.

On the day of your move, make sure your Do Not Move box or boxes are clearly labeled. It’s a good best practice to have them stored in your car or at a minimum, at some distance from the items that are meant to go into the moving truck. This will help prevent your Do Not Move box from being loaded into the moving truck accidentally.