As moving day draws near and your days become more and more busy, your mind will be stuffed with a thousand details. Use this checklist to help remember the little (and not-so-little) tasks that often get lost in the moving shuffle.

Before moving day

·                Pack all family records in a separate box and keep it with you (not in the moving van) when you move. Include your family's medical, dental, school, and financial records. Although the moving company is insured, if it loses your irreplaceable records and other valuables, there is nothing it can do to get them back.

·                Forward your mail. Make "We're Moving" postcards to send to friends and relatives. Send change-of-address forms to magazines, service organizations, and others. Go to the post office and complete a mail-forwarding form. Also, consider sending electronic change-of-address cards to your friends. Check the Internet for sites that offer these cards for free.

·                Say goodbye to your neighbors and give them your new address and phone number. Hand out "We're Moving" postcards as you say goodbye.

·                Call telephone and utility companies to close your accounts and let them know your new address. Your final bills will arrive there.

·                End your subscription to the newspaper and other delivery services. If you have a gardener, maintenance person, or other service provider who comes regularly, be sure to terminate your contracts.

·                Be sure that the new tenants (or the property manager) have the code for the automatic alarm system.

·                Replace burned-out light bulbs as a courtesy to the new occupants.

·                Take one last look in all out-of-the-way places for items you may have forgotten: drawers, closets, shelves, garage, tool shed, greenhouse, porches attic, basement, and yard.

On moving day

·                Turn off and unplug all appliances. Check the refrigerator, air conditioner, clothes washer, dryer, and other appliances. As a courtesy to the new tenants, leave the plugs and their wall sockets in plain view and accessible.

·                Turn off the automatic sprinkling system (or set it to automatic, if appropriate).

·                Set the thermostat to 55 degrees. If it's winter, this will help ensure that the pipes won't freeze before the new tenants arrive.

·                Close blinds and draperies and turn off all lights except one or two so that the house doesn't seem unoccupied.

·                Activate the alarm system.

·                Secure and lock all doors and gates. Remove any locks to which you own the key or combination (or leave the key and combination for the new occupants).