As you prepare for an upcoming move, you have to pay attention to a number of fragile items, from artwork to dinnerware. However, many homeowners overlook some of their most vulnerable possessions: electronic devices.
Electronics could sustain cosmetic exterior damage or serious internal damage if jostled en route. Additionally, many electronics are vulnerable to extreme heat and cold.
So how do you protect the devices that connect, educate, and entertain you and your family? We’ve listed five dos and three don’ts below for moving your electronic devices.
Dos
Plan ahead to ensure that your electronics stay safe throughout the entire moving process. Use these five tips.
- Consider a Professional Packing Service
If you have several electronic devices, especially if you have multiple vulnerable models like flat screen televisions, hire a packing service. These electronics can sustain damage even while just being moved around your house or placed in boxes. For example, your flat screen could crack if you accidentally put too much pressure on it while picking it up.
Inside of trying to foresee and prevent all possible damage, hire a knowledgeable and experienced electronics packing service.
- Put All Components Together
Losing your remote or charger is frustrating enough in everyday life. Avoid frantically searching for an essential cord or controller after your move by putting all of a device’s components together.
Package small items in a bag or box of their own so that they don’t scrape against the larger electronic device while in transit.
- Remember How to Connect Each Device
To avoid unpacking your electronics only to find that you don’t know how to reconnect them, pay attention to your current setup as you disassemble it. Wheaton World Wide Moving recommends that you take a picture of the cord configuration before you unplug.
Additionally, you may want to use colored stickers to simplify the reassembly process. For example, if you have an external hard drive and an external DVD player that attach to the same computer, put a different color sticker on each device. Then mark the end of the cord that connects to each device with the same color.
- Unpack Your Electronics Early
As much as you would like to have your whole home unpacked and rearranged as soon as you arrive, unpacking is often a long process. Whatever else you unpack, ensure that your electronics come out of their boxes sooner rather than later.
The longer your devices stay in boxes, the more vulnerable they are to damage caused by the shifting and stacking that comes with unpacking.
- Use Original Containers When Possible
If you have the storage space, always keep the original box and packing materials for new electronic devices. Because these packing materials fit each device exactly, they provide much better protection when it comes time to move.
In addition to these recommendations, read through the owner’s manual for your larger electronic devices such as your television or desktop computer. These devices may have manufacturer recommendations for transportation and storage to prevent damage.
Don’ts
Small mistakes when moving electronics can lead to confusion at best and potentially expensive damage at worst. Avoid these three common errors.
- Don’t Forget to Label Each Box
If you don’t have original packaging for each device, be sure to label each box clearly. Take note of any extra components found in any given box, especially if you end up having to separate a cord or controller from its main device.
If you used colored stickers on the electronics, you can add them to your labels as an easy visual reminder of what’s in each box.
- Don’t Leave Items Inside Your Devices
Always empty your devices before packing them up. Remove any discs from your DVD player or game console. Unplug all cords and store them separately.
Take out any batteries or ink cartridges since these items can leak or overheat during your move.
- Don’t Store Electronics in Spaces Without Climate Control
If you can’t move into your home right away and you have to store some of your belongings, be careful where you put your electronics. If you have to store your electronics along with your other boxes, choose a climate-controlled unit in a well-secured facility. Choose a unit on higher ground to reduce the risk of water damage, and check that the climate control keeps the unit at a temperate temperature.
Additionally, to reduce the risk of theft by someone who spotted one of your boxes, store your electronics near the back of the unit or under a covering.
If you suspect that a situation could damage your electronics, use common sense and avoid it. For example, don’t place electronics at the bottom of your moving truck or allow boxes to be transported upside down.
Use these guidelines to ensure that your electronics arrive at your new home intact and ready to be plugged in.
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