Source and obtain strong 'double walled' containers/boxes and always use tape to fasten the bottom and top of your boxes. Never use damaged, worn, or thin cardboard boxes. Pack all boxes to their tops and fill spaces with void filling material such as shredded/crumpled paper. Larger spaces could be filled with pillows or cushions. This will prevent movement of contents and give the packing box rigidity when stacked. Unfilled boxes can be crushed and overfilled bulging boxes can tear and fall apart or be dropped! Rattling boxes mean insufficient space filling.

Don't overload your packing boxes with too many heavy items. You can always fill spaces with lighter objects. Packed boxes should not on average weigh more than 30lbs/15kgs each. Generally, the heavier the object the smaller the container. Label each box and indicate the following: (a) Which room it should go in, and (b) if it is fragile (c) content description (d) which way up the box is to be kept.

Sequence your packing so that the least used possessions are packed first. Do one room at a time. Last in first out - pack the most used items to the top of your boxes. This also applies when your belongings are placed into storage.