Safest way:

1) Use a PVC tube 6" longer than the rod. (You'll probably have to buy a 10' section and cut it to length.)

2) Wrap the rods in bubble wrap.

3) Put a cap on the bottom. (I usually use one or two pieces of cardboard cut to fit the tube.) I seal it with heavy duty clear shipping tape.

4) Drop some padding into the tube (wadded up newspaper, etc.)

5) Slide rod into tube.

6) Drop some more padding into top of tube.

7) Seal the top.

8) Optional: add a "fragile" sticker or use a sharpie to draw "arrows" to indicate "this end up".