How To Safely Pack Electronics For Moving

Electronics equipment, especially modern-day electronics, uses high-end technology, which makes it expensive; that’s why it needs more robust handling. Equipment’s aging and robustness are affected by how it is used and handled while on the go. Modern-day high-end electronics need replacement, while options for repair are limited or too expensive. It is, therefore, essential to safely pack electronics during the move.

The cost associated with electronics packing, especially computers and memory devices, or the cost of hiring electronics movers, is far less than the cost in case of damage or loss of equipment. On top of that, the utility and data loss can cost even more regarding its recovery and opportunity cost. In this blog, Serenity Moving Services will cover how to safely pack electronics for moving.

Essential Preparations Before The Move

Packing electronics for moving might seem daunting at first, especially if you plan to do it without professional help. However, a little planning and forethought can help. What you need to do is start getting things in order before anything else.

• User Manuals – You can segregate all the user manuals and get them in one place. The ones you seem to have misplaced may be easily downloaded and made whole.
• Insurance – It’s always a good idea to use insurance while moving electronics, such as ‘transit coverage,’ to insure yourself against financial loss.
• Tracking apps – Install tracking apps on your devices and use tracking chips such as Tile on your electronics to help you keep easy track of them during the move.
• Labeling – You should label everything with different colors of stickers. It might seem tedious, but it will help set up the electronics in a new place.

Gather Necessary Packing Supplies

Now comes the part where you need to gather moving supplies to help you move your electronics. And for this, you will need protective supplies and lots of them. Remember, it’s much cheaper to arrange these than to replace your damaged electronics altogether.

• Moving boxes of various shapes and sizes
• Bubble wrap
• Packing peanuts
• Packing paper or newspapers
• Twist ties
• Plastic bags
• Packing tape and markers

Create An Inventory List Of Electronics

Electronics such as computers, besides laptops, have many accessories. There are internal and external parts that are detachable. It is necessary to list electronic items and their sub-parts before dismantling and packing them. Moving the equipment from one place to another needs shock, thermal, and waterproofing. The inventory requires details such as the name of the equipment, the number of items, and the relevant part of the equipment with which you will reattach them.

How To Pack Different Electronics For Moving

The manufacturers provide details on the packaging and handling of the electronic items. One should follow the set of instructions. However, it is challenging to find those instructions or manuals that accompany the electronic item after a time. Removing and unplugging unnecessary cables and batteries before packing the electronic equipment is important. Here, below are the steps to guide how to pack different types of electronic equipment–

Packing A PC For Moving

The safe placement and sealing of the computer box, both from inside and outside, is necessary. The inside material is required to provide resistance against shocks and friction. Below are some steps to tell how to pack a PC for moving–

• First of all, you need to back up all your data in some safe place or on USB.
• The second step is to remove and unplug all cables and label them separately.
• The third step is to use customized boxes for packing electronic material. When customized packages are unavailable, use box material; cut, fold, and tape it according to the size and shape of the electronic item.
• The next step is sealing the setting, i.e., securing the PC with bubble wrap or thermopore, which will help the packing remain intact, and thus, the devices will not be able to move during movement.
• After fixing the PC in the box, fill empty spaces inside the box with packing material such as foam and anti-static EPS grains to avoid vibration and shaking.
• Seal the box with tape, and most importantly, notes such as side-up and fragile must be placed or marked on the box packing to avoid any problems at the time of unpacking and stacking during transportation.

Packing Computer Monitors

Computer monitors have seen a rapid technological change and are way more delicate than the monitors of the past, which are Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT). The latter type, being bulkier and having a large part as glass, needed extra care.

• Take off the stand and pack it separately in bubble wrap.
• Place a few wrapping sheets over the entire screen, just as you would do if wrapping a present.
• Now cover the entire screen with bubble wrap and fix it to place with packing tape, taking care that the tape doesn’t come in direct contact with the screen anywhere. Never pack your screens with newspapers; instead, use packing paper, as newspapers can cause scratches on the screen.
• Now, go ahead and repeat the process and put another bubble wrap sheet over the first one, thus forming a double protective layer.
• Now, put the screen upright in a box of the right size with the screen facing the inside wall of the box.
• Fill the empty spaces with non-static EPS grains and packing papers and do a gentle shake-up test to see that nothing is loose.
• Close the lid of the box with the packing tape.
• Remember to place the ‘fragile’ label on the box.

Packing Other Electronics ( TV, Speakers, Printers, Scanners )

As with electronics overall, you need to take care of the fragility of the equipment you plan on moving. The following steps can help you get through this task–

• Go through the user manual to determine if the manufacturer has specific instructions for moving.
• Try to find the original packing, as it works best for moving electronics.
• If you can’t find the original packing, try contacting the manufacturer. If that doesn’t work, you will have to rely on your own moving boxes and exercise extra care while doing so.
• Cushion the top and bottom of the box with packing paper, bubble wrap, and towels.
• Safely remove all the cables from the ports and pack them separately.
• Cover the main in bubble wrap. And the screens with a towel after securing them with bubble wrap twice.
• You can place cardboard around the main items next and secure it with packing tape.
• Find the right size of boxes and put the items in an upright position.
• Never leave the cartridges or toners inside the printers. Pack them separately.
• Make sure not to leave any space in the box, and fill the empty spaces with anti-static packing peanuts.
• Close the lids and put packing tape over them.
• Use markers to label all the boxes on the outside for easy referencing later on.

Tips For Safe Transport Of Electronics

The movers ensure that any side does not pressure the electronic devices and their box packs. In this case, it remains on the additional packing brackets, i.e., the filling and holding material acting as pillars and cushions around the electronic device. Further tips for the safe transportation of electronic devices are–

• No cords or extensions should remain outside the box.
• Bubble wrap immediately around the device is the best solution to maintain the distance of the electronic device from the hard surfaces.
• The mode of transportation and its health, such as the road condition, should be considered while choosing the cushion type.
• Ensure sealing and marking equipment as fragile or which is side up.
• Try to avoid stacking luggage over the electronic box pack.
• Ensure the box containing electronics is placed in a fixed position to avoid rolling, twisting, or bending.
• Minimize shifting of the packing within the carriage frequently.

Conclusion

Packing electronics is always a tricky subject. You must keep these essential preparations, tips, and tricks to pack items such as monitors and other electronic items. Trust Serenity Moving Services for expertly packed and secure electronics during your move in the Oklahoma location to ensure a smooth and safe transition. Contact us today to learn more about our services. We also offer a guide on how you can pack dishes and pack clothes when moving.