WHAT Can't You Ship? Moving Cleaners, Chemicals, and Dangerous Items!

Updated: Apr 25

Relocating hazardous household cleaners, chemicals, and flammables? Don't wing transport blindly or risk huge fines! Learn top safety tips.

You freeze staring at the WD-40, paint thinner, and corrosive toilet bowl cleaner under your sink, their warning symbols burning bright hazmat orange.

How do families safely pack up household hazardous goods during moves anyway? Can these just ride shotgun inside your moving trucks?

Not so fast...minimizing risks in transporting dangerous materials requires strategic care many novice DIY movers don't consider up front.

But disregarding volatile item handling regs can cause nasty spills endangering your family plus draw major fines from DOT freight authorities!

Let's dig into essential guidelines the best moving companies Calgary utilize when tackling client hazardous goods to keep everyone legally safe.

Here's your game plan made simple:

Step 1: Compile Thorough Hazardous Goods Inventory

First, walk through your entire house rounding up cleaning supplies, chemicals, automotive goods, paints, batteries, light bulbs - any item with a WARNING label including:

Bleach, ammonia-based cleaners
Weed killers, insecticides
Gas, propane, lighter fluid
Paint thinner, varnish
Car waxes, antifreeze
Nail polish remover
Lantern fuel, kerosene
Batteries
Compact fluorescent light bulbs

Step 2: Strictly Follow Hazardous Materials Packing Regulations

Unlike milquetoast moving boxes tossed randomly into truck trailers, transporting hazardous household goods falls under strict regulations minimizing public and environmental risks.

Familiarize yourself with the requirements around:

Proper waste containment - some jurisdictions mandate certified hazmat barrels
Warning labels and color coding by risk type - flammables must use fire orange bins etc
Vehicle load limits preventing concentrated combustion hazards
Mandatory protective gear for handling certain chemical spill risks
Restrictions items too dangerous for public moving - better to arrange professional disposal instead

Step 3: Pack Defensively In Industrial Grade Containers

While packing regular household goods into flimsy liquor boxes seems fine, hazardous materials demand brawny reinforced containers guaranteeing robust protection.

Invest in top-grade bins purpose-designed for dangerous goods built tough to strict specs including:

Rigid Materials: Look for solid one-piece molded plastic tubs resistant to sagging and cracking with securely sealed lids
Vented Lids: Specialized airflow caps minimize pressure swings
Built-In Handles: Important for stable grip transporting without risky spills
Stack + Label: Stagger containers to prevent crushing. Use Hazmat stickers to mark contents

Think waterproof storage totes lined with protective padding suitable to cushion delicate chemistry lab glass rather than household Rubbermaid bins!

Step 4: Isolate Chemicals Thoroughly

Haphazardly tossing bleach, ammonia, and vinegar jugs into shared cardboard boxes is a recipe for tragic disaster once boxes slide and materials mix mid-transit.

Instead, compartmentalize hazardous goods strategically:

Separate Incompatible Chemical Groups

Never combined products that could interact dangerously. Safely segregate:

Acids isolated from bases
Flammables blocked from all ignition sources
Toxins divide into food/cosmetic goods
Corrosives shielded from equipment vulnerable to burns

Create buffers using vermiculite pads or nested plastic bins separating chemicals holding one type per container.

Divide Then Cushion

Individual chemicals still require internal padding even when singularly isolated to prevent damaging motion forces.

Wrap jars + bottles first in bubble cushioning then acid-free unprinted tissue paper
Surround snugly with shredded paper or foam pieces eliminating empty spaces where glass could collide
Top off securely to prevent compression damage

Take all precautions ensuring zero leakage or explosions by strictly controlling item interactions!

Step 5: Designate Vehicle + Place Wisely

When transporting hazardous household goods, extra safeguards are non-negotiable:

Only use reliable personal vehicles versus splurging a budget on moving trucks since you retain full control over operating conditions, driving carefully, etc
Ensure adequate tie-down restraints like ratchet straps to immobilize containers, preventing dangerous sliding/spills
Load well away from vehicle exhaust pipes reducing combustion risks
Never group with food items/passenger belongings keeping contamination zones separate
Make multiple trips instead of overloading if needed to follow weight restrictions cautiously

Additionally, strategic placement inside your new home minimizes unpacking mishaps:

Set up secured dangerous goods storage first before moving anything else into the garage, garden sheds, etc external to living spaces
Handle chemicals far from children/pets who could access them inadvertently
Post warning signage clearly
Lock access doors until fully settled and ready to implement long-term hazard mitigation protocol

It's critical to keep dangers strictly blocked off from families during chaotic early days. Safety first!