A Simple Guide To Packing Electronics For A Move

13 October 2015
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Your electronics (TV, computers, etc.) are some of the most expensive items in your home. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most difficult to move safely. Proper packing will ensure that they survive the move with a minimal amount of damage.

Consider Keeping the Box

While it may seem like a waste of storage space, you may want to keep the original box for your electronics, especially if you know you will be moving soon. Part of the problem with moving electronics is that they are often large or oddly shaped, making it hard to find boxes that will protect them properly. In contrast, the box the item came in was specially designed to keep the item safe during shipping, so it is your best bet for making sure your electronics survive this additional trip.

If you are going to save the box, make sure you also save all the wrappings and foam pieces that came in the box, within reason. Each layer is designed to protect the item from a specific threat, a couple of which will be discussed below. Keep in mind that if the manufacturer didn't think that layer of protection was worthwhile, they wouldn't have spent the money to put it in the box.

Static is Your Number One Enemy

Actually, crushing might be your number one enemy when packing your electronics, but most people are aware of that one. Static is the number one enemy that no one remembers, which makes it far more dangerous. This is the reason that you should save any foam or bags when you save the original packaging for an item. Anti-static packaging is pricey, so the more you can reuse the packaging provided by the manufacturer the better.

For items you don't have the box for, the best thing to do is to invest in a roll of antistatic bubble wrap. You can also get things like bubble wrap with this property, but if you completely wrap the item in the bubble wrap you will not only get an initial layer of cushion around it, but also won't have to worry about the rest of your packing materials. It may cost you a few extra dollars up front, but that is a small price to pay to avoid shorting out your laptop.

Ensure That They Are Specially Packed and Marked

Electronics are both some of the most expensive items in your move and some of the easiest to resell for people looking to make a quick buck. Since your items are more vulnerable during a move, you want to be sure you aren't advertising which boxes to steal to make the best profit. Marking the boxes with "fragile" is still important, but you want to avoid marking them with text like "home theater" or "gaming console." If you are using the original boxes, you may want to place them inside a second box or wrap them in brown paper to make it less obvious what is inside.

Rather than marking your boxes with text, try numbering them. That way you can use those numbers to create an inventory on a separate sheet of paper that only you have. You can also photograph each item and record their serial numbers to help bolster your case if there is a problem.

Even when taking all the care in the world, a device may simply not survive the rigors of a move, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Only by carefully packing your electronics can you minimize the chances you will need to tack on the cost of a new TV to the cost of your move. For more information or advice, contact a business such as Wheaton World Wide Moving.