Electronics are a vital part of the modern world. People rely on their refrigerators to keep meals cool and microwaves to warm them up. Computers help people get work done and to eventually relax after a hard day. All of this and more explains why it’s important to make sure your electronics are safe and secure during long distance moves. It’s not enough to have your electronics arrive at their destination. You also need them to travel in a safe, and ultimately predictable, manner. As a general rule, it’s best to group different electronics into specific categories.
You should always refer to instruction manuals for larger appliances like a fridge, washer, or dryer. Different models often have different requirements or concerns. But as a general rule, it’s important to make sure that their cords are securely taped down to protect both the cord and anything it comes into contact with. It’s also important to make sure that you’ve removed the contents of any appliance. For example, make sure to remove trays from your microwave, clothing from your dryer, food from your fridge, etc.
TVs and monitors are best moved in their original packaging if you still have it around. The original packaging is designed to perfectly fit the size and shape of these delicate devices. But if that’s not possible you should keep in mind that TVs and monitors need to be kept upright during transit. This will help prevent stress on their especially delicate screens. And the more padding the better when it comes to both of these devices.
Compact computing systems like tablets and laptops are generally fairly easy to pack. Like with TVs, you’ll want to make sure that there’s no pressure on their screens. However, if you have a tower or desktop PC you’ll need to put a little extra care into the packing process. You should make sure that all of the computer’s accessories are packed securely. Ad try to keep them together so that they’re easy to find when you’re unpacking. You should also ensure that there’s no indication of loose parts within the PC tower before you pack it. If anything is loose within the PC tower then you’ll want to remove the case and tighten any screws before packing it.
You’ll also want to go through any remaining electronics to gauge their overall fragility. Take special note of any electronics with especially delicate components such as video equipment. Cameras, tripods, and similar devices often let you remove the most delicate parts for easier storage and packing. You should also put special care into making sure that smaller components are stored in a manner that will make them easy to find upon receipt.
Finally, remember that bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and tape are some of the best tools of the trade. All of them can be used to ensure your electronics don’t move around too much when they’re in transit. And, likewise, they can lower the amount of pressure on delicate electronic components.
