How to Pack a Flat-Screen Television for an Out-of-State Move

Moving to a new state can be stressful. It is important to get you, your loved ones, and your valuables there safely. Your flat-screen TV may cause you the most hesitation – but it doesn’t have to. Use this guide from Cheap Movers Philadelphia (744 South Street #722, Philadelphia, PA 19147, (215) 618-9686) to pack up your television and get it safely to your new home.

1. Get Prepared

According to Best Buy, the first thing you need to do is take some pictures of your TV, front and back. You may think you will remember how it was set up, but having a picture to remind you where the cables can make your life easier. They suggest making sure you have a printed copy with the TV, just in case something happens to your smartphone during the move out of state.

2. Use the Original TV Box

If by some chance you still have the original box, great. This is the perfect way to move your flat-screen, especially if you kept all of the Styrofoam and another packaging that came with it. However, National Van Lines points out that these boxes are often very large and hard to store. So, what to do instead?

3. Buy a Flat-Screen Moving Kit

Different companies will call them different things, but many truck rental and storage units sell boxes specifically designed to move a flat screen. Uhaul recommends packing all of your accessories in a separate box. This way they are all together, but not in the same box as your flat-screen, where they could potentially damage it.

4. Keep Your Flat-Screen Upright

You have probably heard that you should never lay a flat-screen television on its back. There seem to be a lot of theories on why this is. Some people will tell you that Plasma TVs have a liquid in them that will settle and get ruined if you lay it down. Hire a Helper says that there is no way that laying your TV down will hurt it, internally anyway. The reason for keeping it upright is that it is balanced to stand that way. On its back, the middle of your screen could crack, especially on a long, bumpy drive. Be safe and pack your flat-screen standing up.

5. Carefully Transport Your TV

When it comes time to load up, have someone help you carry the television box. If you are driving your car, consider letting your TV ride in your backseat. For those needing to put it in the moving van, Great Guys Moving suggests putting it standing up in between two pieces of flat, heavy pieces of furniture. Be sure these pieces of furniture will not damage the screen of your television.

6.  Unpacking

When taking out your TV, it is a good idea to let it adjust to the room temperature before turning it on. During that time, you can reattach the cables and get everything ready for getting back to watching your flat-screen, but now in your new home!

Continue Reading →

How to Get Your Whole Family On Board for a Successful Moving Day

There are more challenges to overcome when you move as a family as opposed to moving as an individual. Managing all of the different personalities and wants of a family can be difficult, especially if everyone isn’t on the same page come moving day. Below, you will find four tips on how to get your whole family on board for a successful moving day.

Designate Specific Tasks

Moving out of your home and into a new one is a naturally chaotic situation. The chaos will only get worse if your children and spouse are trying to move items out of the same room at the same time or are trying to move boxes out while someone is moving out furniture. Instead, as http://www.cheapmoversbaltimore.com/ suggests, sit down with your family a few days before moving day and assign each person a certain task. If you have children, tell them that they’re responsible for moving the boxes that contain their personal items.

Children are very attached to their items and will feel better if they’re the ones moving them. Designating tasks will ensure everyone has a job, everyone knows their role, and that there’s less confusion during moving day.

Set Up A Moving Plan

To help make moving day more organized and to encourage active participation from all family members, order pizza for dinner the night before. While your family is eating, gently work the conversation towards the move happening tomorrow to set up a moving plan.

As you discuss the move, let them know which rooms and items will be moved out first. The next step in the moving plan should be deciding which doors should be used for which purpose. To avoid accidents, one door of the home should be used for leaving with boxes and furniture while the other door should be used for re-entering the home.

Let The Kids Decorate

Moving isn’t usually high on the list of things that excite and motivate children. One incentive you can offer your children to help motivate them to pack up their rooms is to give them free rein to decorate their boxes. Children tend to be very artistic and adore coloring. So, if you find that you’re having trouble getting your child to pack up their room, adding in this little treat for them might just be enough to get them on board with the move. Remind them to add their names to the boxes to make unloading and unpacking require less guesswork.

Talk To Your Children

Moving is a big change that can upset your lifestyle and make you nervous. The same happens to children during a move. To get your children more comfortable with the upcoming move, talk with them. Sit them down and discuss with them how they feel about the move.

If they seem upset or apprehensive, give them reassurances that the move will be good for them. If possible, drive your children to the new home. Let them see the neighborhood and show them their new school. Take them to eat at a restaurant that’s in the new neighborhood to give them a positive connection to the new home.

This will go a long way in making sure your children are on their best behavior for moving day. It might even make them excited for the move.

Continue Reading →