Of all the belongings in your home, your flat screen TV is probably one of your most expensive and difficult to move. Even a small chip or crack can ruin your viewing experience, so it’s important to make sure you take all the necessary precautions to get your television where it needs to go.

> Arrange the Cords: One of the most difficult parts of packing and moving a TV is keeping track of the cords. Some people choose to take a picture of everything all hooked up so they can refer to it later; others use color tape to identify what goes where. Regardless of your preference, you’ll want to remove all cords and pack them separately. They almost always get in the way otherwise.

> Keep the Original Box: In the most ideal scenario, you’ll still have the original box the television came in, including the Styrofoam packing inserts. (We know this is rare, but if you know you’ll be moving your TV someday, we strongly encourage you to keep the box.) This way, you can simply put the TV in its original condition and transport it that way.

> Purchase a Specialty TV Box: Because so few people keep their original TV boxes, you can actually purchase ones brand new for use with various sizes of televisions. You can pick these up online or at any specialty packing stores, or you can hire a moving company (like us!) that has them on hand for you. These boxes simulate the original packing and allow you to easily and safely transport your TV.

> Protect the Screen: Regardless of what kind of box you’re using to pack your TV, the screen needs to be protected from breaking and/or scratching. Bubble wrap can help keep it safe, or, if you’d rather use supplies you have at home, a soft sheet or non-scratching blanket can work. (Anything that touches the screen needs to be scratch proof.) Wrap it around a few times and secure it with packing or duct tape, making sure the tape doesn’t touch any component of the TV. You can even cut out a piece of cardboard the exact size of the screen and tape it over the front.

> Secure the Television: It’s a common myth that flat screen TVs have to be kept upright while they’re moved. While sitting it on its base and securing it in place is one way to move a TV, you can rest it horizontally as long as there isn’t anything on top of it or it can’t slide around. This is where labeling will make a big difference. Be sure and mark the TV box so everyone involved in the moving process knows what it is and to be careful while handling it.

If you’re at all nervous about moving your TV, be sure and talk with your relocation consultant for tips and reassurances. Flat screen TVs are so common nowadays that professional movers are able to protect them in transit the same way they would a couch or a box of expensive china.