How To Prepare Your Electronics For Moving
When you're moving to a new home, there are many things to consider. While boxes of clothes and books are important, the most expensive and fragile things you have in your home are probably your electronic devices. Most homes these days are packed full of desktop computers, video game systems, computer tablets, televisions and stereo equipment. All of these devices are very pricey and easily damaged. This is why it's so important to ensure that you carefully prepare when you're relocating electronic equipment, even if you use a moving company. The following tips will help you do so.
What Does the Manufacturers Say?
Before following the more generalized advice below, you should start by consulting the manufacturer's instructions that came with your products. Most manufacturers are going to provide (either in the owner's manual or on the company website) instructions for packing and moving their product.
Save the Original Materials
While this ship may have already sailed, it's always a good idea to save the original boxes that your devices came in, as well as any packing materials.
If You Don't Have the Original
If you don't have the original boxes and packing materials, you'll need scissors, tape, newspaper for packing, labels, markers and some sturdy boxes (double corrugated cardboard boxes are best). You don't want your electronics bouncing around inside the box, so pack in enough newspaper to ensure this won't happen. Make sure the device is sitting on a bed of tightly crumpled newspaper, with more newspaper on all sides and above.
Keep Things Organized
Since you're going to have to remove cords and disconnect the various components going to your computers or other devices, it's a smart idea to label each cord so you know what it goes to. Place each cord or cable you remove in a sealable bag and label it with something like "laptop power cord." This will save you a lot of trouble later when you have to put everything back together.
If You're Putting Things in Storage
If you're going to be putting some of your electronics in storage during your move, there are two other things you want to keep in mind. One is that some electronics don't stand up well to high temperatures, so you might want to ask the storage facility manager about temperature controlled units. The other thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to attract the attention of potential thieves, so any electronic equipment being moved into a storage unit should be in unmarked boxes.
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