Packing Hazardous Materials for a Move

Every move is difficult and demanding, but packing dangerous materials will give you the biggest headache, among other worries. Whether you're moving to another city or closer, you need to know which materials and items you can legally transport and which you can't.

In this blog, we will give guidelines on what dangerous materials are, how to pack them, and what you need to pay attention to so your move goes smoothly and stress-free.

What are Hazardous Materials?

To know how to pack, you need to know what they are and why they are problematic and demanding when moving. Hazardous substances are all substances that, due to their properties and chemical reactions, can potentially harm human health and endanger the environment.

They can be in a gaseous, liquid, or solid state and require special care and handling. The classification of hazardous materials is usually regulated at the state level and is subject to laws governing their storage, transportation, and use. When moving, hazardous materials can cause many problems, such as:

• Security risks.
• Legal problems.
• Property and human damage.

Therefore, before you start packing dangerous materials, ask yourself what and how you should do it.

Where all Hazardous Materials are Located?

When people talk about hazardous materials, we know that they are all around us. Some can be transferred and some can't. Some of the most common household hazardous materials are:

• Cleaning chemicals (e.g, bleaches, degreasers)
• Paints and solvents
• Batteries (especially lithium batteries)
• Flammable liquids (gasoline, alcohol, paints)
• Gas bottles (butane, propane)
• Pesticides and herbicides
• Medicines and medical waste.

Carefully make a list of all the hazardous materials you have, pack them carefully and safely, and hire experienced professionals for those you are not allowed to transport.

Make a Good Plan

Before moving, make a good plan and do several important items, such as:

• Make a list of all potentially hazardous materials.
• Ask about local laws that apply to these types of materials.
• Buy the right packing equipment.
• Ask about hazardous materials recycling centers.

If you can't handle everything yourself, hire a professional moving company. Professionals well versed in the law and the process of moving hazardous materials.

Materials You Can Transfer

Even though they are dangerous materials, people use them every day. You can also transport them provided they are properly packed, secured, and marked. These are some of the hazardous materials:

Home chemistry

Household chemicals such as bathroom and kitchen cleaners, glass and dust cleaners, detergents, etc. When packing these materials, pay attention to the following:

• Use the original packaging because it usually has all the necessary labels and information about the contents.
• Make sure all covers are tightly closed to prevent leakage during transport.
• For added safety, place cleaning supplies in resealable plastic bags to prevent leakage during shipping.

So make a detailed list of your household chemicals and pack them carefully to transport them safely. During transport, never mix different cleaning chemicals because the combination of certain chemicals can cause dangerous reactions.

Chemicals

When packing chemicals, make sure they are packed separately as the chemical packaging is designed to withstand chemical reactions and leakage. If you do not have the original packaging and use ordinary boxes, be sure to mark the boxes with the words "CAUTION- CHEMICALS" so that workers or friends who help with the move know what they are transferring and pay attention.

Regarding transport, never pack chemicals with food, medicine, or other items that may be contaminated. Also, if you are transporting chemicals in your car, ensure adequate ventilation to prevent vapor buildup.

Batteries

People use batteries every day, and they are allowed, but lithium-ion batteries for electric cars, electric bicycles, and mobile phones are considered dangerous. Lithium batteries are considered dangerous due to the risk of fire.

Many countries have strict rules regarding their transportation. When packing larger batteries, insulate their terminals with tape to prevent short circuits and pack them in plastic boxes to avoid discharge.

In the case of ordinary batteries, before moving, make sure that they are not corroded or leaking, and if they are, remove them from the device. With proper packaging, you will transport the batteries without any problems.

What Can You Legally Transfer?

Regardless of whether you live in an apartment or a house with a large property, have a workshop or a garden, you are sure to use easily flammable materials. Therefore, under no circumstances should you move:

• Petrol
• Thinners
• Oil for lamps
• Various types of pesticides
• Gas cylinders full or empty.

You can move such materials only if you have a specialized permit or work with a company specialized in transporting hazardous materials.

Accompanying Documentation

Every dangerous substance that is transported, regardless of whether it is properly packed or not, must have accompanying documentation. It must state:

• What material is it?
• What does it contain?
• The amount of material.

All of this information is essential for everything to be legal.

Disposal of Hazardous Materials

If you have a lot of dangerous materials, you should hand them over to a registered company for the regulation of this type of product. This is the safest way to dispose of chemicals, batteries, and other hazardous items.

What to Pay Attention To?

Moving is in itself tiring and stressful, and when it comes to packing and transporting hazardous materials, you should pay attention to:

• Do not throw chemicals down the drain, as they can contaminate.
• Do not pack hazardous materials together with food, medicine, and other items.
• Pay attention to the packaging, because dangerous materials must not be left unattended during the move.

These are all dangerous materials, and no omission or error must occur.

Sanctions for Non-Compliance With Regulations

There are clear regulations for the transportation and proper packaging of hazardous materials, as well as rules on who can transport hazardous materials. And most importantly, there is a law behind it that must be respected.

Therefore, carefully read the instructions on which the composition of the product is written to be sure whether you are allowed to transport it yourself. If you overlook something, there may be fines as well as legal consequences and liability for endangering people's lives and the environment.

Takeaways

Moving dangerous materials should be taken seriously, but with proper organization, proper packaging, transportation, and compliance with all legal regulations and rules, the entire moving process can be done safely and without problems.