There are several preparations that you will need to make with your office equipment and supplies before you have commercial movers come in to pack, load, transport and unload your items into a temporary or long-term storage center.

How to Move and Store Office Equipment and Supplies Safely

When you are moving your business from one building or warehouse to another, dealing with the equipment could be a challenge. Large pieces of equipment and other types of office supplies present surprising hazards that you might not have thought of. Keep these three safety precautions in mind as you prepare to have your office supplies and equipment transported to a space for commercial storage in Las Vegas.

Drain Fluids

A surprising amount of office equipment may contain fluids. Check in pieces of equipment such as copy machines, fax machines, printers and laminating systems. If any of these pieces of equipment contain liquid, including ink, be sure to drain them thoroughly. Leftover liquid could thicken or expand, ruining the equipment while it is in a storage unit.

Use Padding on Breakable Items

Hard plastics and glass could shatter while in transit or in a storage unit. A falling item, impact or vibrations could cause this to happen. Consider using padding on these items. Some good options include plastic sheeting and Styrofoam for computer monitors and flat-screen televisions. The glass plates on copy machines should also be padded in order to protect them from impacts. Blankets are a good option for safeguarding these larger items. Glass conference tables, mirrors and similar items should also be heavily padded.

Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous chemicals should never be placed into a commercial storage unit. Even items that you use in your office on a daily basis may be hazardous, and you might not realize it. Window cleaners, disinfectants, odor removers and stain removers are all considered hazardous chemicals. Also, dispose of any volatile organic compounds. These items include lubricants, paints, paint removers, aerosol cleaning agents and spray cleaners, could release compounds that cause respiratory, skin or eye irritation when you access the storage unit.