Storage tips: Baby your Breakables

Avoid telling horror stories at your next cocktail party and carefully pack your breakables when storing or moving. Pictures, mirrors, electronics and china all have special packing needs that you can do easily with the right supplies and a little care.

• Pictures and Mirrors Wrap pictures that are small and stand them on end in boxes. For larger ones, buy special picture moving boxes. Use foam or bubble wrap. It is cheap compared with reframing, damaged art or on a new pane of glass.
• Crystal, China, and Fine glassware Buy the boxes especially designed for these items with built in dividers. Pad and wrap each item with newspaper or foam. Label boxes with glass items and stack these on top. And add packing material to both the bottom and the top of the moving boxes.
• Electronic EquipmentUse the original boxes. If you don't have them, pack these items carefully and use cushion material. Bubble wrap, cushion foam, and even wadded up newspaper will help. Pack items separately. Tie down tone arms for record players. Stack record albums on end to prevent warping and use small boxes to hold down the weight. Consider the temperature as heat can warp CD's and record albums.

Most importantly, make sure everyone handling your belongings, does so with care. Research your mover or do it yourself. There are more options than ever that make self packing easy. The Mobile Self-Storage Association can help you find a local company and many offer some assistance. You can take your time packing the smaller, fragile items and get some help with the heavy stuff! Happy storing!