Modern electronics are quickly becoming smaller, more efficient, and more expensive. There may come a time soon when pound for pound your gadgets out value your gold and jewelry. While already a commonplace item for home and commercial safes, electronic equipment and gadgets require a few special considerations when being stored for extended periods of time. Here we’ll look at some of the basic techniques that you can use to make sure that your electronic equipment survives storage and retains its value and functionality.
How to Store Electronics
When storing electronic equipment it is important to wipe down and properly clean your equipment before putting it in your safe. Use a lint free cloth and make sure that any dust and grime is wiped off of your equipment. Leaving dust can clog air vents, trap heat and humidity, and even generate static electricity. In general it’s simply a good practice and it will make sure that our equipment is clean and ready to go when you remove it. Be sure to disconnect any wires and remove any peripherals from your equipment before storage. This will make sure that any cables are not erroneously yanked out in the process of putting in or removing from storage. Wrap any electronic equipment in a clean cotton cloth to prevent dust build up as well as prevent light contact damage or scratching during moving. If space permits it’s also never a bad idea to place your item in a suitably sized box for the aforementioned reasons. When items with a glass surface be sure to take some extra precautions and wrap it in bubble wrap or shredded paper to prevent damage.
How not to Store Electronics
Avoid storing electronic equipment on a carpet. In addition to being a natural dust collector, carpets can generate harmful static electricity that can damage and even potentially ruin your electronics. One simply work around is to store your electronics on a non-conductive material like a wooden pallet. Never leave alkaline batteries in your equipment if it is going to be stored for extended periods of time. Eventually the cells will degrade and the seal can break releasing the highly corrosive chemical compound potassium hydroxide which can cause permanent damage to your electronics. Never wrap your electronics in plastic sheeting. This can cause moisture and humidity to be trapped inside and cause water damage to your electronics. Use a lint free cotton cloth as mentioned above. Lastly, don’t throw all your wires and electronics in an unlabeled box. The more time you have to spend sifting through boxes the more chances there are you may accidentally damage something in the process. Keep it organized and labeled and you’ll have an easier and incident free time when removing your items from storage.
