Storing your items in a Reno self-storage unit is the ideal solution to clearing out the clutter in homes and offices, but it’s not always done properly. Although it may seem like a simple task, sometimes the right measures aren’t taken to safely store items. When your storage unit is not packed and maintained correctly, your items may be lost to damage or theft and you can put yourself in danger. Regardless of if you are looking for storage in Reno, NV, consider these self-storage safety tips before loading your unit to protect your items and yourself!
Prior to choosing from the many Reno storage facilities and moving into your unit, it’s a good idea to take inventory of all of your items. Keeping this record of everything in the storage unit will be good for several reasons. First, it will help you get organized and find things when you need to get them out of the unit. Secondly, you can check that list against the potentially hazardous materials that are not allowed by the storage facility. Finally, in the event of damage or theft, you will have a record of everything that was lost or stolen.
While there is a wide variety of items you can store in the unit, there is also several not suitable for storage. If you have made the list from Step #1, this task will be much easier. Most Reno storage facilities disallow or don’t recommend storing these items:
Thinking about the placement of your items in the unit is very important. You are going to want to place any frequently used items near the front and everything else in the back. For example, holiday decorations should be placed near the front because they will be used every year. Financial files that you need to keep, but don’t know if you will ever need can be put in the back. Strategically organizing your items based on usage will keep you organized and prevent you from having to move boxes often. The best strategy is to place unused items in the back and create a path to frequently used items in front of the unit. This path will make it easier to get to your items and prevent a potential fall.
Often times, people purchase storage units that are too small for their needs. It is important to choose the right storage unit size for your needs. If the storage unit is too small, people have a tendency to stack boxes as high as they can. Although you might save a little money by choosing a smaller unit, you risk the safety of your items and yourself. If the boxes topple over, your items can be damaged and you could be seriously injured.
Although this may seem like one of the more obvious self-storage safety tips, it’s just as important. It is always a good idea to move items with a partner and leave the heavier items for dollies. When lifting heavy items without assistance, there is always the risk of back injury. If you think you may need assistance, ask for help. It’s better to have a friend or family member spend an hour helping you than risk injuring your back.
If you are planning on storing electronics or motorized equipment, it is best to take some time to prepare it for storage. For electronic devices that contain batteries, remove the batteries to prevent corrosion. For motorized items such as lawn and garden equipment, drain all of the fluids prior to storage. Removing oil and gas from the equipment removes the flammable material and reduces the risk of fires. In addition, the removal of the oil and gas will protect your equipment from corrosion that could hinder the performance of the machine.
The last self-storage safety tip is to purchase a reliable lock to protect your items. When selecting a lock, you shouldn’t just choose any lock. The lock you purchase can be the difference between a thief getting in or giving up. Disc style locks and those that require a key are the best choices to protect your items.
Here at Reno Ample Storage, we want our customers to be confident that their items are securely stored. For that reason, we have a gated facility, security camera, and a live-in onsite manager. In addition, we offer storage tips for those in Reno, NV, such as these, to make storing as easy as possible. We hope you find these self-storage safety tips helpful and you can use them when you store with us. Call us today to reserve your storage unit if you are in the Reno, NV area!
