Placing electronic items in storage requires a little more preparation than with many other, less delicate items that can be stored. This preparation effort ensures that the items will not be damaged during their time in storage (however long that might be), and it also means that you will quickly and easily be able to set them up again when you need to. So what are some of the things you need to do?

Cables

Before you disconnect any cables to the electronics in question (particularly computer hard drives, televisions and stereos), take a photo of the back of the device to show you how to reconnect the cables when the time comes. You might not know how long the devices will be in storage for, so if there's a chance that you might upgrade your smartphone in the interim, please store a copy of the photo elsewhere. Send it to yourself as an email, or use cloud storage.

Insurance

You might wish to consider insurance for the electronic devices while they're in storage. Enquire with the storage facility as they can usually provide a policy that will cover the devices against theft and a variety of different types of damage while the items are onsite.

Packing the Items

Before packing the items, ensure that any CDs or DVDs have been removed from the device's drives. If you have retained the original packaging for the items (polystyrene padding and cardboard boxes for the specific sizes of the items) then use this. If you have discarded the packaging, then encase the items in bubble wrap. Be cautious if you're using tape to secure the bubble wrap so that the tape does not come into contact with the items themselves. It's unlikely to cause damage, but tape can leave an annoying residue. You might wish to then pack the items in an appropriately-sized cardboard box for extra protection.

Elevation

Do not simply place the items on the floor of the storage unit, as this makes them more susceptible to damage from dust, any vermin that might enter the unit (however unlikely this might be) and any water that might seep inside. Placing them on a sturdy table or shelving unit is ideal.

Extreme Weather

Will the items be stored in a unit inside a larger enclosed facility, or inside a garage-style of unit with external access? If it's the latter, you will need to inspect the items in the event of extreme weather. While units are largely weatherproof, you cannot simply assume that no water will have seeped beneath the entrance to the unit after heavy rain.

By following these straightforward tips, your electronics will be ready for use again as soon as they come out of storage.