Moving is something we all experience once or twice in our lives. Some of us move more often (I have no fewer than 14 moves under my belt). If there is one thing that I know about moving, it is this: not keeping my stuff secure is a bad idea. Unsecured stuff moves around in the back of a truck. Damage is inevitable.

The good news here is that keeping stuff secure isn’t hard. It takes some effort, but there is nothing complicated about it. You just need the right tools and strategies. Then you need to put the effort into securing your stuff before you start driving.

Here are some easy ways to keep your stuff secure:

Avoid Empty Space in Your Boxes

Let us start with the stuff you pack into boxes. Do yourself a favor and make sure you do not leave any empty space. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should pack your boxes so full that you can’t lift them. In fact, you really should not. But it does mean getting your hands on some filler material to fill all of the voids. Eliminating empty space eliminates the risk of stuff shifting in a box.

Protect Kitchenware With Towels

For years, Americans thought the best way to protect kitchenware during a move was to wrap it in a newspaper. Newspaper still works, but it is much harder to come by in the digital era. A better suggestion is to combine fragile kitchenware with towels and washcloths. The fabric will prevent contact between pieces while also absorbing shock.

If you don’t have enough towels and washcloths to go around, packing peanuts make a great substitute. Packing peanuts are cheap and easy to come by. You can get them just about anywhere you can purchase moving boxes and packing tape.

Protect Furniture With Moving Blankets

This next tip is one I never availed myself of until after damaging furniture in several previous moves: protecting furniture with moving blankets. A moving blanket is a thick fabric blanket designed specifically to absorb road shock. Strategically placed blankets also minimize contact between furniture pieces. The end result is fewer scratches, dents, and chips.

Make Use of Tie-Downs and Tarps

Next up is making ample use of tie-downs and tarps. Tie-downs have plenty of useful applications, from securing items on the back of a trailer to keeping things nice and snug inside a box truck. My personal preference are Rollercam cam buckle straps. They are easy to use and quite effective. You might prefer ratchet straps from another brand.

As for tarps, their biggest advantage when moving is keeping things dry and secure during transport. They are especially helpful when you are using a pickup truck to move your stuff. A tarp over the top of the load, secured with cam buckle straps anchored at three or four locations, guarantees nothing gets out – or in for that matter.

Pack Your Truck Carefully

Finely, and perhaps most importantly, be incredibly careful about how you pack your truck. Avoid creating pockets and voids as they allow things to shift. Keep the load snug and tight without jamming things in.

Also, pack heavier items on the bottom. Under no circumstances should you put light boxes on the floor and then stack heavier items on top. Keep the weight as low in the vehicle as possible. This protects your stuff and makes the truck easier to manage.

It is possible to move without breaking your stuff. Preventing damage requires a little time, effort, and knowledge, but it’s definitely not out of reach. Now you know some of the basics.