TLC for Your Tech: How To Move Your Electronics Safely

Televisions, gaming systems, laptops, tablets, and other electronic items give us a lot of joy. They are also very fragile items that really aren’t designed to stand up to the rigors of a typical NYC move. To keep screens crack-free and everything operational, you’ll want to follow these best practices for packing electronics for a move:

Baby the Big Screen TV:

Big screen televisions are among the most difficult items to pack because they’re large and can be heavy. If you have your original packaging, including the foam inserts, that’s great news: use these to pack your big screen TV for the move. If you don’t have the original packing materials, invest in a flat screen packing kit, available from most moving companies and office supply stores. Big screen TVs must be packed and moved in a vertical position: make sure to label your boxes indicating which way is up.

Let The Kids Enjoy Extra Screen Time:

The safest, easiest way to make sure your children’s tablets or handheld gaming systems stay safe during the move is to let your kids hang onto these items while they’re riding to the new address. Added bonus: being able to game or connect with their friends on social media will keep the kids’ attention occupied.

Sleeve, Cushion, Box:

Multiple layers of protection are required to protect laptops, tablets, and other smaller electronics during a move. Begin with a protective sleeve, such as the one your item was shipped with. Then use high-density foam to cushion the item within a sturdy, appropriately sized box. Don’t count on clothing or bedding to protect fragile electronics: fabric doesn’t have the structural integrity to keep your tech from getting knocked around during the move.

Desktop Computers & Printers:

Pack monitors much the same way you handled packing your TV. Use foam cushioned boxes to pack the tower, which must travel in a vertical position – label boxes appropriately. Take the ink out of your printer before you move it: sometimes cartridges survive travel, but sometimes they don’t, and the result is a terrible mess.

Label Cords As You Unplug Them:

The best way to make sure you’re labeling cords correctly is to apply the labels as you unplug and pack your items. Some people like to color-code items while others prefer actual printed labels to identify what cord goes where. Don’t rely on your memory! After the stress of a move, it can be incredibly frustrating to look at a box full of cords and not be able to remember where they belong. Label your remotes too!

Keep an Eye on the Thermometer:

Electronics don’t like extreme temperatures, especially heat. Know the weather conditions forecast for your move, and talk to your moving company about how long your items will be in the truck. Keeping this time to a minimum is a good idea – and if you’re sending your electronics into storage, make sure you ask about climate control!