Packing Electronics

• A picture is worth 1000 words– Use a digital or cell phone camera to take pictures of how complicated wiring (computer cords, speaker wires) is hooked up. Be sure to use plenty of light and careful focus so the pictures will be clear. Print each picture and put it in the top of the box holding the item. This will make hooking up the items in your new place much easier.

• Original is best– Always use the original packaging when available. (I realize that most of us don’t have the original packaging for much of anything, but I thought I would bring it up anyway).

• Double boxing– For especially fragile electronics, pack them first in a box with an excessive amount of biodegradable packing peanuts. Then pack that box in a larger box filled with biodegradable packing peanuts. This two-box system seems like a pain but seems to do a better job isolating items from jarring impacts.

• No loose ends– Wrap each cord carefully with cable organizers, heavy twist ties or heavy rubber bands. Never throw unwrapped cords into boxes- they get tangled and caught on other items.

• Cord labels– Consider getting a label maker and labeling the end of each. Then you’ll know exactly which cord you’re seeing and where each end connects when you put things back together.

• The two-inch rule– Use at least 2″ of biodegradable packing peanuts around each side of fragile items.