Protect Your Valuables at All Times
Unfortunately, it’s very easy to lose things in all the chaos of a big move. Sometimes things just get left behind or misplaced, but other times theft is the issue. When moving an office or changing homes it pays to keep security high up on the list of priorities. Even if you trust your packers, movers, and helpers, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
The first thing to do is choose a reputable moving company. Either ask friends and contacts for a recommendation or have a look at reviews on the internet. Steer clear of any business that has recently changed its name as this is one sign it might have something to hide.
Consider the most valuable items next- credit cards, passports, and important documents. These should stay with you rather than being boxed up and put in a truck by long distance movers. Keep these and other valuables like expensive watches and jewelry in the bag that will be travelling by your side, and remember not to leave this unattended. If you stop and eat at a diner on the way to your new home, for example, take the bag with you rather than leaving it in the car.
You might want to be extra careful when walking around town with a bag full of valuables. Avoid poorly-lit areas at night. While crowds of people provide safety from muggers, they are also ideal cover for bag-snatchers, so give thought to the kind of bag you use. A hiking backpack with two shoulder straps is more secure than a bag with one strap or a handheld.
Bank statements and other sensitive papers should be kept safe to prevent fraud and identity theft. If you don’t need these documents any more, shred them- a <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_shredder”>cross-cut shredder</a> is recommended. If you do need to retain them for your records, carry them with you in a folder and hide them away from prying eyes.
As a general rule of thumb, the smaller an item is, the easier it is to steal. Take utmost care with easily portable items with high resale value- smart phones, netbooks and laptops, iPads, cameras, and MP3 players. These shouldn’t be left in plain sight and nor should they be put in a box labelled ‘electronic gadgets’, or anything that might suggest expensive contents. Use a tag like ‘office supplies’ instead.
Prescription drugs may also have a high resale value, so don’t leave these in with the rest of your bathroom items. Keep them in your bag instead, or hide them in a box of clothes or cooking implements. Shake the box a little to test for noise. The tell-tale rattle of a pill bottle is a magnet for a certain type of thief.
Once you get to your new home, it may be worth changing the locks just to make absolutely sure nobody else has a key. Tenants may not be able to do this but homeowners can and should, and anyone can make a quick tour of a new house and make sure that all doors and windows can be properly secured. If there is a problem, contact a locksmith straight away.
