When it comes to electronic devices and the moving process, the greatest fear is “will they work after?”. Well, with some careful planning and preparation, you can give them the best chance of working after the move. Of course, it all depends on each device. Some are more resilient and can allow for more lenient preparation, while others require maximum care and protection. The best thing to do is, of course, to hire movers Orange County and have them deal with all of your devices. However, if you want to save some money on that, you can also do it by yourself. And that is what this small collection of tips and tricks aim to enable you to do. So, without further ado, here is:
How to prepare for moving electronic devices?
Every electronic device is different. It is not the same if you pack your elaborate microwave and your expensive tablet. You need to know what to do with each and every item. By following the list below, you can ensure the maximum safety of your items:
- Follow the product manual
- Gather the right packing materials for moving electronic devices
- Rent a climate-controlled storage unit
- Label each box before moving electronic devices
- Consider safety and get additional insurance for your valuable electronic devices
Follow the product manual
If your device came with a manual, devote some time to reading the sections about moving and safety. Your device may have some parts that need to be taken off or even some that need to be installed, to ensure maximum safety. If you don’t have a product manual, you can find it online for most of your newer devices. If you absolutely can’t find a manual anywhere, which is quite often the case, the best thing to do is to find one for a similar device. Every device has sensitive parts and you need to pay special attention to them. Most of the time these are the screens and connectors. Make sure that they are properly protected.
You may also find out some interesting things about your electronics if you read that manual to the end. It is uncanny how many times no one looks at the product manual and there are things there that will make your use of the device much more enjoyable.
Gather the right packing materials for moving electronic devices
With that in mind, you will need some packing supplies for transport. Depending on how you are moving your belongings, you may want to pack accordingly. It is not the same if you are moving to Seattle from Los Angeles and if you are moving to Europe. Depending on the type of transportation, you will need to acquire proper packing materials. The best thing to do here is to get some advice from professionals. Simply ask your moving company about what you might need.
You will definitely need packing tape, boxes, and bubble packs. Packing peanuts, blankets, and another padding might also be needed but it depends. Make sure to check with someone experienced if you are unsure. That is actually one of the greatest tips for life itself. If you don’t know how to do something, ask someone that does. Or go online and google it, that works most of the time, as well.
Rent a climate-controlled storage unit
If you need to store your belongings, either while in transit or while you are arranging your apartment, you will need to take extra care with electronics. These devices are extremely susceptible to humidity and many storage units have problems with that. The only way to ensure that your belongings will be safe, regardless of the weather, is to rent a climate-controlled storage unit. These units regulate both temperature and humidity, something that electronics are extremely sensitive to. These locations are the best when it comes to storing electronic equipment.
Of course, it all depends on how many items you have, how valuable they are, and how much risk you are willing to take. If you have but a few, not particularly valuable, items, you can risk storing them with the rest of your belongings, in a regular storage unit. Most of the time they will be perfectly safe. However, if you have plenty of electronic devices and want to be sure that they will be working once you need them, there is no better place than a climate-controlled unit.
Label each box before moving electronic devices
If you don’t have the original packaging for your items, you will need to place them in a box, together. Make sure to label each box with what it contains, especially in the case of fragile electronics. This will ensure proper handling of the boxes, both from you and your moving crew, especially in this case, where you are packing fragile items such as electronics. Make sure that the labels are clearly visible and that you can tell what is inside the box at a glance. This will make it easier to recognize from the distance and will help with planning. Don’t simply scribble a few words on a piece of paper and call it a day. At least write in large letters.
Consider safety and get additional insurance for your valuable electronic devices
Your electronic devices can be a hazard by themselves. Some devices have hazardous components and can endanger the safety of all other items. If you have some items that match that description, make sure that they receive special treatment. Furthermore, if your items are particularly valuable, you may want to consider additional insurance especially if you are getting ready for a long-distance move. Regular homeowners insurance and moving insurance will only cover the fraction of the cost of expensive electronics. If you want to make sure that you are able to recoup your losses, no matter what, you will need to invest in additional insurance.
Finally, the odds are that your electronics will be just fine after the move, regardless of what you do and how you pack them. Most of these devices are actually quite durable, provided that you are not intentionally putting them in harm’s way.