Thanks to technology and the number of items that it has added to our household and our list of things has increased to almost double in comparison to old times. We invest a large amount of money in electronics and that’s why we need to take extra precautions to keep each of our electronics safe during a move. Every electronic item including television, computers, laptops, video game consoles and systems, stereo equipment, and other music systems. One careless drop can cost you a lot so it is important to pack and handle your electronics well during a move. If you are planning to keep your electronics in storage, make sure they are fully protected as they can get damaged due to fluctuating temperatures and humidity in the warehouse.
Here are some tips on how to pack your electronics safely for your big move:
Get Started
Gather user manual of all your electronic devices. It is good to have the physical copies of them or you can download them from the manufacturer’s website. Also, get your devices insured, you can opt for moving insurance too that will cover your packing, unpacking, and moving. If you are working with the best national moving companies associated with Moving APT, the expert will also add tracking devices or tracking software to your devices so that you can find them if misplaced or lost.
Prepare Your Devices before Packing
Preparing your devices before packing is very important and to do so, you should remove all additional items from them.
- Take out batteries from all devices and remotes to avoid overheating or leaking of them. Keep the removed batteries together and safe in a bag.
- Charge all rechargeable batteries before your move.
- Remove CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays from your devices and tape those drivers.
- Secure toner cartridges and printer cartridges in plastic bags after removing them from the printers.
- Take a backup of all important documents before packing up your computer or laptop for the move. Though it is unlikely to suffer damage, it is better to stay protected.
- Detach all cables and wires from your devices and label them well. Keeping all your peripherals may seem tempting to save time but it can cause problems.
- Gather all the right packing material to pack your electronics safely and that may include bubble wrap, newsprint or protecting sheet, moving boxes, colour stickers, and labels, cardboard boxes, and tape.
- Colour-code your cables by sticking the same colour stickers to your cables and their respective devices. You can even use different colour stickers to differentiate sockets. For example, put the same colour sticker on the cable and the socket that you have taken it out from.
- Remove all the cables and keep labelling them and fold them and put them in a sandwich bag after putting an elastic band around them.
- Try keeping all the cables and wires of one device in one bag.
Let’s Pack Them Up
Save the original boxes for packing your electronic devices as they have pre-shaped foam pieces in them and they are custom shaped too. Though original packing is ideal to pack your electronics, somehow, if you haven’t saved the original boxes then try arranging some sturdy boxes of similar sizes as the devices. Consider using little larger boxes so that you can add enough cushion using peanut wraps.
Make sure you add at least 2 inches of packing on all sides of the electronic. Though eco-friendly starch-based peanuts or popcorn are right for a short-distance move, consider using synthetic wraps for a long-distance move.
If you are moving long-distance, it is wise to put silica gels in moving boxes to avoid any kind of moisture as excess moisture can cause corrosion. It’s a good idea to allow a trusted long distance moving company to handle this part.
You can use heavy blankets to secure flat television screens as they provide perfect protection to the device by cushioning it well.
Secure flat-screen covered in a moving blanket against a wall to provide support and keep it safe.
Desktop PCs are often dusty so try and vacuum the inside of your computer before packing it. Also, remove any cards from the motherboard and make sure every screw inside your CPU is tight enough.
Pack your desktop screen the same way you have packed all your other electronic devices but avoid using packing chips and use packing paper instead. Remove all the cables and dongles from your computer screen before packing it for a move.
Some General Guidelines
If you do not have saved the original packing of your device, it is very important to cushion your device well in a sturdy and big moving box. There should not be any voids or empty spaces so it is wise to fill any empty spaces with bubble wrap. You can even consider using hand towels to do the same.
Make sure you do not use newspapers to pack any screen as newsprint can get on the screen and can even scratch it.
