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Hollywood Storage Center Tip: Safely Storing Your TV

Here’s a guest post from Jeremy, a longtime Storage Consultant here at Hollywood Storage Center in Newbury Park. You might’ve met him the last time you checked out one of our low-cost self storage units. Let’s see what Jeremy has for us this time…

I felt kind of like a rock star the other day. Except instead of being recognized by an autograph-seeking fan in a fancy hotel, I was spotted by one of our awesome clients in CVS. He came right over to say hello, but rather than asking for a pic for Facebook, he asked about a storage dilemma.

He and his wife had just gotten a new big-screen TV for their living room, but he didn’t want to get rid of their smaller one. He said the plan is to use it in the “man cave” he’ll get to setting up one of these days. In the meantime, he wondered, what is the best way to store a television?

Glad I have a lot of experience on how to safely store all kinds of items, because, if you think about it, storing a television is a lot different than storing things like couches or lamps. You want to make sure all the fragile parts inside don’t get bumped around, and you also want to keep it as dust-free as possible.

+ When you first get the TV, keep its original packaging (if possible). Since that box (and all its Styrofoam inside) is already molded to the shape of your TV, it’s the best possible way to keep it in storage.

+ Make sure the TV is clean and free of dust before you pack it up. Dust is the enemy electronic gadgets! (Just ask that old CD Walkman I found on a shelf recently.) Also remove the TV’s base (if it has one), and keep any cords together in an accompanying plastic bag — or even a small plastic storage bin.

+ Don’t store a flat screen TV on its back! It can damage internal parts … which would really stink when you get it back to your “man cave” and set it up to watch the Super Bowl only to find it won’t turn on …

+ Tape up any and all boxes with good packing tape to keep dust from creeping in. Carton sealing tape does the trick. And don’t worry — in case you don’t have any at home, we have all of the boxes and packaging supplies you need here at Hollywood Storage Center!

+ Finally, if the TV is thin enough, keep the screen safe by sliding the whole box in between two bigger, heavier items in your storage unit. That way, the next time you’re rummaging through, it’ll be less likely that another box might bump it and cause damage. (Those older “cube”-style TVs should fit in a standard moving box and are a little easier to keep safe.)

Many of these tips can be used for storing other electronics — like computers, DVD players, older stereo systems (the vintage record player your dad gave you … or is that just me?) and more — when you’re ready to store them in one of our Thousand Oaks storage units. And don’t hesitate to touch base with me or one of my fellow Storage Consultants for more ideas — whether we’re here or maybe at the supermarket!

Thanks, Jeremy! We’re always eager to pass along these kind of awesome storage tips. Readers: Do you have any questions for our storage rock stars? Ask below!Â