If you feel that your home is too crowded, can’t figure out what to get rid of, or want to downsize to a smaller home, storing some of your stuff in a storage unit may seem like a viable option.
Unfortunately, using storage units may sometimes compromise the safety of your items, especially if you intend to keep them there for a long time. But worry not, as this article will explore several ways to ensure your items stay protected in a storage facility.
Start With Choosing the Right Storage Unit Facility
Protecting your items in a storage unit starts with identifying the right storage unit facility. The first thing to consider when choosing a storage facility is its security. Even when all other factors are great, you want to ensure that you cannot lose your items through theft or fire.
Some of the things you may want to look out for to establish the security of a facility include the facility’s surveillance systems, lighting, employee protocol and fire safety technology.
But looks can be deceiving, and you do not want to risk falling for the wrong facility. If you are not sure which facility to trust, you may want to check out Austin TX storage units which are among the most secure facilities in Texas.
Get Insurance for Your Unit
Most storage facilities will require tenants to insure their items. Even when it is not a requirement, it is essential to do so because you do not want to risk losing all your items when the inevitable happens.
Some home insurance policies cover household items even when they are in transit or storage facilities. But you may want to confirm with your insurer if items stored in a storage unit facility are covered. If not, you can buy a storage unit policy for your stored items.
Ensure Nobody but You Has the Access Code
Most units come with a digital locking system meaning you will need a code known only to you to access your items. The people closest to you know what your storage unit is holding, and you may be surprised that theft can be closer to home than you thought.
Unless it is your spouse or a person you can trust, do not share your access code with anyone else. A good way to limit access is by getting stuff yourself from the safe. If you suspect an unauthorized person may have access to your safe, changing the access code can help you ensure security.
Pack Small Items Properly
Small items can damage or take up lots of space if not properly stored. The best way to store them is by organizing them in boxes.
You could also group them depending on their purpose for easy access. Also, choose one size of box for packing your small items for easy stacking.
You will also want to ensure that every box is full before moving on to the next to ensure the items do not crumble when stacked. Crumbling puts your stuff at risk of getting crushed and can make your storage efforts a nightmare by causing top boxes to shift or topple.
Wrap Your Furniture and Electronics
When storing your furniture and electronics, you may want to clean them first. You can use a vacuum cleaner for your couches or a blower for your electronics. After cleaning, wrap them in plastic sheets to protect them from collecting dust in a facility.
For electronics, you may want to use bubble wraps to add a layer of protection if they are bumped against other items. Ideally, a reliable storage facility should ensure that its units are dust-free; however, gathering dust may be inevitable if you store your items for an extended period.
