How To Keep Items Safe In Storage
ShareA self storage unit is a great place to put your belongings if you don't want to worry about them while you're away. But there is such a wide variation in self storage arrangements that you may need to take some steps to make sure your items are secure. Here are some steps to take.
The First Step: Finding the Right Storage Unit
If you find the right storage facility, a lot of the work of safekeeping is taken care of for you. Checking reviews is one way to verify the reputation of your storage units, but another thing to do is to speak with the manager of the unit about their safety procedures.
Choose a unit that has security cameras facing every unit. Some units may even have alarms on the doors. Fire protection methods are important as well. Some units can have firewalls between each unit or at least fire alarms to help isolate where a fire began. Pest control is another thing to talk with the facility manager about. They should spray for pests on a regular basis to keep away insects and critters.
Get a Good Locking System
Your locking system in self storage is another big indicator of whether a unit will be safe. If your storage facility uses electronic locks, you're probably good on lock safety; an electronic lock is hard to crack, and it also tracks who enters and exits the units so that you can be aware of any unusual activity. But if your facility has knob locks or bolt locks, ask if you're allowed to add your own padlocks to create an additional layer of safety.
Pack Your Items Correctly
Finally, the way that you prepare your items for storage will also affect your outcome. Your rental facility might have plastic crates that you can use to store and stack items, but if not, it's worth investing in them if you plan to stay long term. Packing each item with enough padding to keep it from hitting another object is another good idea, but you don't have to use disposable bubble wrap. If you are storing clothing, wrapping each item in a piece of clothing could also work well and save you money. Finally, organize and label your boxes so that you can get to the items you need quickly and reduce the amount of time in storage units, which will reduce the chance that you knock over boxes and break a belonging.