There is no limit to the things we would do for our families. We want them to be happy but before that, we need them and their belongings to be safe and well-protected.
Million of burglaries and home break-ins occur every year. Only a small percentage of these crimes get solved and the items are lost forever.
The most surefire away to protect your valuables is to find a safe and secure storage facility and protect your investment. This can be easier said than done. Check out our list of seven ways to ensure the safety of your items.
Finding a Safe and Secure Storage
You have plenty of options when it comes to picking a storage unit. So how do you really know that your possessions will be safe?
Some people just go for the cheapest option, leave their possessions, and hope for the best. This might be fine if you are just trying to get rid of junk around the house. But if you really care about your valuables, sentimental objects, and heirlooms, you should take a few extra steps.
7 Ways to Secure Storage Units
Before you put all your trust in a storage facility, you need to see this checklist. There are seven ways to get the most out of your investment.
Use this list as a point of reference. Not every piece of advice will apply but there is a lesson to be learned.
Here are seven ways to get the most out of a storage facility.
1. What To Store and What Not to Store
Wondering what to store in your unit?
First off, you have to figure out what kinds of items should and should not be stored.
There are certain things you should avoid leaving in a storage container. There are also certain things that should NEVER be stored.
Bad Ideas
There are certain items that you could store in a container but you should probably think twice.
Anything that can rot or attract bugs is probably a bad idea. This means that perishable food or plants are a no-go. Plants need light and water to thrive and they won’t get any of that in a container.
Another common mistake is storing cash. Although it might seem like a safe place for your bills, it makes more sense to bring your money to a bank. Generally speaking, lost or damaged cash is not covered by insurance.
Prohibited Items
These items are usually not allowed in most storage facilities. In fact, you could even get in serious legal trouble if you try to sneak them into you without the permission of the public storage employees.
Double-check before storing anything flammable, explosive, or otherwise ‘dangerous’. This includes but is not limited to gasoline, guns, ammunition, fireworks, and hazardous waste.
You might think it isn’t necessary to mention that it’s illegal to store animals, people, or stolen items.
2. 24-Hour Surveillance
When shopping around for a storage facility, you are going to want one with serious security features. Just having one guard that takes regular naps isn’t going to cut it with your valuables.
Have you ever wondered why the cameras on the Mars Rover take ultra-HD images but the security camera footage at some places is blurry?
Be sure that the facility is fully staffed and fully equipped. There should be a 24-hour digital camera system in place. This is extremely important in case of lost or stolen items.
3. Adequate Lighting
Storage facilities protect our things but they should also be safe to access. Sure, your possessions are safe when they’re locked away. But what happens when you suddenly need access to your items?
Some facilities don’t have great lighting or personal security. This can create a risky situation when you are unlocking your unit alone and in the dark.
Reputable storage facilities take lighting seriously. This is crucial for security. Also, security footage is basically useless if it’s too dark.
4. Public Storage Locks
Generally, the storage facility can provide you with a lock for your unit. However, you should make sure you get one of the best locks for storage units.
In fact, this is where you should splurge. We recommend you go out and get the best lock you can reasonably afford.
Your storage facility is next to useless if the lock can be easily broken.
5. Professionalism
Storage facilities are only as reliable as the people that run them. Most reputable institutions have been around for decades.
They have several controls to ensure the integrity and responsibility of their employees.
Pay attention to the workers when you visit a storage facility. If they seem unprepared, unprofessional, or otherwise unreliable, you might want to try somewhere more serious.
6. Organizing Your Unit
Now that you have your storage unit ready to go, its time to get organized. It’s unlikely you’ll feel safe just leaving your valuables on the floor.
We recommend placing the more important and valuable items in the back of your unit. Ideally, you can put them away from the entrance, ideally inside of a storage safe.
If a thief somehow does manage to break into a unit, they have a very brief window of opportunity before security or law enforcement intervenes. Therefore, they tend to grab whatever is in immediate reach and make themselves scarce.
7. Storage Insurance
No matter how safe a storage facility is, there is always a chance of losing your possessions.
Unfortunately, thieves can be quite crafty. Also, disasters such as fire, flooding, lightning, or other calamities can destroy or damage your valuables.
There is no reason to sweat it if you have proper storage insurance. This gives you a peace of mind that, even in the most un
Caring for Your Prized Possessions
Having enough safe and secure storage is an essential commodity. Whether we live with family or alone, you need somewhere to keep your important items secure.
Keep your possessions safe by picking the right storage facility. Check out the blog for more tips about getting the most out of self-storage.
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