The Do's and Don'ts for Storing Electronic Equipment

Given the complexity of today's various types of electronic equipment, it is imperative that computers, laptops, printers, scanners, fax machines, postage meters, smartphones, etc., are properly stored for future use or donations. There are very specific do's and don'ts when storing such equipment for any length of time. If you do not plan on reusing the equipment in question, there are standards for donating to a charity and those can be found online.

The following storage tips can be applied to personal and business electronic equipment alike.

DO'S

• Thoroughly wipe the equipment clean; dust and dirt particles can easily damage equipment by holding in heat and humidity, clogging air vents, and creating static electricity.

• Disconnect and remove all cables/wires to ensure they are not erroneously jerked out, damaged, or lost. Neatly bundle and twist tie, tape together, or to be "green", use an empty paper towel or toilet paper roll (minus any paper remnants) to efficiently hold the cables/wires together. The roll can also be labeled for easy identification in the future.

• Be sure to wrap the equipment in a cotton sheet or towel and place in an appropriate size box. Use the original packaging, if possible. Wrapping the electronic equipment in cotton and sealing the box closed will prevent the attraction and collection of dust, as well keep the items secure.

• When dealing with glass, wrap the item in bubble wrap as an extra precaution. If you'd like to be "green", line the storage boxes with shredded paper to create a cushion and prevent breakage.

DON'TS

• Never store your electronic equipment directly on a carpet. Carpets often accumulate static electricity, dust, and dirt, which are all harmful to the items.

• Never leave batteries in equipment as they can leak potassium hydroxide over time, corroding the battery and any items in contact with it.

• Do not wrap electronic equipment in plastic sheets as opposed to cotton sheets. The plastic is easily affected by humidity, therefore possibly creating harmful moisture.

• Do not stack sealed boxes without a little preparation first. All boxes should be clearly labeled and then stacked by size and weight; large, heavy boxes go on the bottom and small, light boxes go on top.

If you have any do's and don'ts you would like to add, please share them with us at http://www.theremigroup.com.

Jennifer Daugherty,
The Remi Group

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