Safety and security are crucial when storing valuable items in storage units. These storage solutions can provide the appropriate environment to protect treasured items like documents and heirlooms.
But before moving and storing these items, it’s essential to know these tips for keeping them neat and organised.
Choose a Reputable and Reliable Storage Facility
The first thing you need to do is pick a storage provider that has secure storage units. Consider these key factors when looking for one:
- 24/7 Surveillance Cameras: Nonstop monitoring can detect potential thieves and provide evidence to the authorities with footage from security cameras.
- Location: Choose self-storage facilities near you as much as possible. You won’t want to drive a long distance to store and retrieve things occasionally.
- Access Control Systems: Opt for storage facilities that implement security measures like biometric systems and use access cards and keypads to ensure that only authorised people can enter the premises.
- Climate-Controlled Units: Prized possessions like antique furniture and other family heirlooms and important items like electronics, documents, and artwork are sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations. A climate-controlled unit protects these precious antiques and other items from warping, melting, corrosion, mould, and mildew.
- On-Site Security Personnel: There’s another layer of protection when security staff guard the facility’s gated access.
- Good Reviews: People’s opinions on a certain business can impact your decision to purchase or avail of products and services. Look for a self-storage facility that has earned stellar customer reviews before making an informed decision.
Partner with a storage company offering all these features to ensure peace of mind when using self-storage units. A secure storage unit will protect your items all year long.
Spend More on High- Quality Locks
Invest in good locks for your storage unit. Disc and cylinder locks are harder to cut and break. They’re also more secure than usual padlocks. Avoid using combination padlocks, which can be easily tampered with.
Use Proper Packing Materials
When put in the self-storage unit, the right packing materials can protect your items well. Here’s how you can use every packing material the right way:
- Packing Paper and Bubble Wrap: Use them to wrap fragile items to prevent collision when transporting them to the self-storage unit.
- Sturdy Boxes: These durable boxes can withstand constant handling and stacking from one place to another.
- Furniture Covers: These blankets and covers can protect your furniture from scratches and dust.
- Silica Gel Packs: These small packs can help control moisture inside the boxes and protect them from humidity.
- Packing Peanuts: Use these fillers to fill small spaces after arranging your stuff inside the box.
- Brown Tape: This strong tape can seal your boxes properly.
Label your boxes properly so you can tell what’s inside without opening them. Write a short description of the contents inside the box. Write “FRAGILE” on boxes with fragile items to indicate they’re breakables.
Store Items Strategically
Your valuable possessions will be stored safely in self-storage units. To mitigate any negative impact on your things, follow these storage instructions:
- Elevate your boxes with pallets to keep them off the ground and protect them from moisture and unexpected flooding.
- Put heavy items on the bottom to keep the delicate items from breaking.
- Store valuable items at the back of the unit for less accessibility to intruders.
Certain items, like plants and food, don’t need to be stored in the unit. They attract pests and decay quickly. Hazardous materials like fireworks and gasoline are better left outside the facility for safety reasons. Store your jewelry and irreplaceable documents in a safe deposit box. If you plan to store cash, it’s better to keep it with you or transfer it to your bank account.
Create an Inventory
Write the items you want to store in the unit. Take a photo of each item and include a short description. List the serial numbers of electronics and other high-value items. Create multiple copies of your inventory list to access your stuff whenever needed.
Purchase Insurance
Despite all the precautions, unexpected events can still happen. Storage unit insurance can help protect your items from these events. You can check your existing policy to see if the renter’s insurance covers items in storage units. Purchase the facility’s insurance plan, especially for the high-value ones with specialised policies.
Check on Your Unit Regularly
Remember to check your items in self-storage units at least once a month to ensure they are in good condition. Look for signs of pests and talk to the facility about a course of action. Also, make sure the locks and the facility’s security features are still working.
Final Words
Storing your valuables inside storage units is a safe solution to protect them from damage if you need another storage space away from home. By searching online for secure storage near me, packing things, and strategically arranging them inside the unit, you’re already providing a safe space for your belongings. You need to take extra precautions, such as availing insurance for the items, regular checking, and creating an inventory list. If you’ve done all these, you can safely move your items to the facility.
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