What Items Cannot Be Loaded or Transported in a Moving Truck

The National Fire Protection Association states that 18 percent of fire incidents occur on the road involving a motor vehicle. In fact, at least one vehicle fire is reported every 96 seconds in the US.

What causes vehicle fire?
There are plenty of factors that may cause a motor vehicle to flare up on the highway. Mechanical failures and malfunctions are the leading cause. Collisions are another.

One vehicle fire cause that movers have to especially take note of is the transportation of dangerous goods. Moving flammable materials including oil, gasoline and solid combustibles are strictly not allowed. So you can either put them away or give it away, consider it a parting gift to your neighbors. But whatever you do, do not put them in a box, trick the mover or load them yourself on the moving truck.

What are dangerous goods?
These are materials that have hazardous properties that can put human health and safety in danger as well as cause property damage. Some of the hazardous materials include the following:

Aerosol cans
Gasoline/Kerosene
Paints/ Stains
Acids/ Ammonia
Lighter fluid
Pesticides
Matches/ Fireworks
Car batteries
Pool Chemicals
Cleaning supplies
Motor oil
Pressurized containers
Nail polish/ remover
Corrosive/ Chemicals
Propane tanks
Open Liquor bottles
Solvents
Fire extinguishers
Yard equipment and fuel
Paint thinner

Dangerous goods can come in the form of liquids, solids and gases. These materials are categorized into 9 different classes.

1. Explosives
This class includes igniters, airbag inflators, flares, ammunition, fireworks, primers, rockets and many others. These items are subject to a chemical reaction that can produce heat, sound, gas, light or smoke in hazardous amounts. And that is the last thing a mover wants.

2. Gases
Gases are highly flammable. They are capable of oxidizing, and they contain a level of toxicity which is harmful to humans, which is why their transport is regulated. Some of the most common examples include fire extinguishers, aerosols, gas cartridges, oil gas, propane, methane, ethylene, etc.

3. Flammable liquids
They are volatile, combustible and potentially cause severe conflagrations which make them seriously hazardous for transport especially for movers. Flammable liquids include gasoline, kerosene, paints, varnish and lacquers among others.

4. Ignitable solids
These items are potentially combustible and especially dangerous when they come into contact with other materials including water. A few examples include oily fabrics and fibers, activated carbon, sodium cells and batteries, etc.

5. Oxidizers
They may not be combustible in themselves. However, these items can react to combustion and make it worse. Oxidizers come in the form of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, chemical oxygen generators, sodium and calcium nitrate among others. Other classes of dangerous goods include the following.
6. Toxic and infectious Substances
7. Radioactive materials
8. Corrosives
9. Miscellaneous dangerous goods

How do you know the item is a dangerous good? It is signified by a diamond shaped sign. The diamond signage comes in different colors, which refer to its level of danger. For instance, red indicates flammable; orange is explosive and yellow is an oxidizer.

Have a safe move. Avoid being part of the statistics by being a responsible packer and mover. Safety should be a priority. And in the case of moving, you are absolutely better off leaving these items behind. Do not run the risk or try your luck, it could be your life, someone else's or anyone's property that you are putting in danger.

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