Is Self-Storage Safe?

When you're looking to find the right place for your storage solution, safety will be top of your priority list.

Sure, it's important to have somewhere that's convenient to where you live, but when you're keeping your personal possessions or business stock in a storage unit, you need to know they're going to be safe from potential intruders, from weather and from pests too.

So, we've created a quick guide on what you need to look out for when you're trying to find a safe self-storage solution for you.

Safety First: Self-Storage Security

Security of the site and your unit is a hugely important when it comes to figuring out if your self storage choice is safe.

When you're looking around, find out if they have CCTV, remote monitoring, fencing around the perimeter of the site and alarm systems.

With all of these elements in place, you will know that the self-storage site you're going for is offering the highest levels of safety for your possessions.

What's more, when it comes to asking the question: is self storage safe, if a storage unit site has all of these elements, chances are it's safer than your own home!

So you have peace of mind that you've got a great level of security for your property.

Safe from the weather

It’s one thing to box up old toys, childhood crafts, or Christmas ornaments and stick them in the attic, but savvy individuals know that home storage can harm some items.

For example, if you’ve got wood furniture that isn’t in use, storing wood in a garage or attic can cause it to warp or damage the veneer, potentially leaving the pieces unusable. Similarly, electronics can break down when stored in a garage because both humidity or leaks can cause the circuit boards to break down and suffer damage.

When you're looking for a unit that's safe from the weather, be sure to check that the unit is fully sealed and shows no sign of dirt or damp before you sign up to anything!

You want to make sure your belongings, whether it's paperwork for your business, furniture for your home or sentimental items, will be in the same condition when you pick it up as when you left it. So, be sure to check on the quality of the seals and the quality of the units when you look for a storage unit.

Protect against pests

Along with protecting against the outside elements, your unit should also be sealed well to avoid any pests coming in and damaging your property.

Mites, fleas, beetles and termites can do a huge amount of damage to property like furniture if left to their own devices.

So, when you're looking for the right storage unit for you, you need to make sure your unit is entirely sealed when closed. Look for any holes in the container walls, gaps in the door seal or any leaks, as they could all be an entry point for unwanted pests.

Space is safe

Self-storage can also be a boon to those with extremely large items to store; for example, the classic car restorer who doesn’t have a lot of garage space. You don’t want to leave those vehicles in the driveway to be battered by the weather, but you may not have room in the garage.

A storage unit is the perfect solution for such circumstances, in which items can be easily damaged. Save all that garage space for lawn tools and sports equipment and move any items of value into professional storage.

It's a great way to keep your most precious items safe from the damage of a busy home.

Insurance gives you peace of mind

When you choose to store some of your things in an offsite storage unit, at least some portion of those items are typically covered by your homeowner’s insurance – the average policy allows for 10% offsite storage, though you should check your policy for specifics.

By choosing a self-storage unit, though, you gain access to several other layers of insurance. First, most storage companies offer supplementary insurance plans for your storage unit. This can protect your items in the event of a natural disaster or theft. Perhaps more important than this extra insurance, though, are the structural protections that choosing a storage unit offers when compared to a home attic or garage.

These sites are equipped with sprinklers and/or fire suppression systems, are climate controlled, and protected from pests. Most people can’t say the same about their home storage options.

So, if you're looking to find out if self-storage is safe for your belongings, you need to consider all of the above. And, if you're looking for somewhere in South Yorkshire, consider Blue Box Storage in Doncaster. We take pride in providing the very best levels of security for all of our customers.

We have installed a huge range of the safety features we've highlighted above to ensure our clients belongings are safe at all times. Get in touch with our friendly team to find out more.