Few families could survive without electronics these days. Whether it’s a computer, a flat-screen television set or a surround sound system, most families depend on electronics for leisure, enjoyment as well as business. However, these delicate pieces of equipment require some special handling when you move to another house, especially during the winter months.
Tips For Moving Electronics
Moving electronics doesn’t have to be stressful or difficult. To help your equipment arrive at your new home unscathed, we suggest you consider the following tips.
1. Take a photo of your connections before your unplug a device. To make moving electronics easier, it’s a good idea to take a picture of how everything is hooked up. You may think you know how the television, computer and sound system all connect to one another, but it can get confusing in the middle of a move. Better to have a ready-made diagram.
2. Allow your computer to reach room temperature. Computer equipment is extremely sensitive to heat and cold. If you’re moving electronics in the winter, be sure to allow your computer to warm up to room temperature before you turn it on. On a similar note, make sure to back up your files before you move and for security move any sensitive data onto flash drives or an external hard drive and take it with you. This will insure that nothing gets lost or damaged during the move.
3. Remove any ink cartridges. Another helpful tip for moving electronics is to be sure to remove any ink cartridges from printers and copy machines before you pack them up. This will help insure that the toner doesn’t escape from the cartridge and make a mess.
4. Pack carefully, but not with peanuts. When moving electronics, it’s also important to make sure that your computer and other components are packed securely in boxes, where they won’t shift during the move. However, be sure to avoid using plastic or Styrofoam packing peanuts. These can create static that can damage sensitive electronics.
5. Take inventory. It’s also a good idea to make a list of all of your electronics with their serial numbers, so you can tell quickly when you get to your new home if all of your equipment has arrived safely.
6. Crate all plasma and LCD screens. Flat screen television sets and computer screens need to be professionally crated before you move. If you still have the original packaging for the screen (and who does?), you can do this yourself. Otherwise, it’s best to let the moving company pack up your screens. It’s also recommended that you allow the screens to “set” for a few hours once they arrive at your new home before you turn them on.
7. Mark your electronics boxes as “fragile.” As an extra precaution when moving electronics, It’s a good idea to mark the boxes “fragile” in two or more places, so the movers will know to take special care of your electronics.
Moving Your Electronics With Red Ball
To learn more about moving electronics and how to make your move as stress-free as it can possibly be, contact Red Ball for a free quote. We have more than 90 years experience in helping people like you move across the state or across the United States. Red Ball operates in all 50 states, and we are adept at offering quality service at an affordable price.