The ideal safety strategy is to place the heaviest item(s) on the pallet's bottom. Then, at the bottom of the stack, place the heaviest pallets. This will result in a more secure foundation with a lower center of gravity. When transporting double-stacked pallets, be sure the load does not exceed the maximum weight limit of the forklift. Do not carry more than one loaded pallet at a time! There are three main methods for stacking pallets: face-down, face-up, and cross-stacking. Face-down stacking is the most common method used by manufacturers when storing or shipping large quantities of pallets. The entire stack is placed on its side, so the faces of the pallets contact the floor. This method provides support underneath the stack which prevents it from tipping over. Face-down stacks are secured using tie-downs or straps attached to the frame of the truck. The heavier the stack, the more secure it will be against shifting or falling over. Face-up stacking is useful for transporting small quantities of pallets. Because they are not stacked very high, face-up loads are easy to handle with a handtruck or ladder truck. They can also be carried single file in a cart or on the shoulder of a driver. The face that contacts the ground during transport is known as the "grippable" face. It is recommended to use caution not to crush or damage the sensitive parts of the pallet while handling them face up.