Hurricane Irma affected everyone from the Keys up through the Panhandle and beyond. Cleanup and recovery efforts will go on for a very long time. We know how badly the storm impacted so many lives, especially here in Miami, FL. We’d like to offer these self storage tips to help you as you get back on your feet.

Saving the Important Things

Remediation after a catastrophic hurricane like Irma generally applies to rebuilding our homes. We're pulling up wet carpets, tearing out soaked sheetrock, and throwing away ruined insulation. Part of our successful recovery depends on saving our belongings too.

Unfortunately, big stuff doesn't weather a hurricane very well. It's hard to salvage furnishings and appliances. Fortunately, the little things can often be rescued. When we gather family heirlooms, important documents and some of the kids' toys into secure storage units, we know we haven't lost everything.

As you work through the process of making things right again, use these quick tips as a reference for keeping belongings safe after the storm:

• Clean Before Storing: Wash and thoroughly dry clothes and bedding before packing up for storage. This helps prevent mold and mildew.
• Fan Important Papers: Dry photos, books, and important paper records by spreading them out and securing them in front of fans for several days.
• Double Check Furnishings: Pull back upholstery, and inspect padding and frames. Damp furniture will mildew even in climate-controlled storage units.
• Make an Inventory: Synchronize an inventory list with numbered boxes in storage. Keep the information on your smartphone for quick access.
• Don't Haul Off Everything: Document what you can't save by taking pictures. Pile it outside your home so that it can be assessed by your insurance adjuster.

Rebuilding with Extra Room

Rebuilding doesn't happen overnight, but we're all in this for the long haul. Putting everything back together takes time, and nearby self storage can be a big help with extra holding room for replacement furnishings and appliances. It gives you space to spare in uncertain times, and that gives you much-needed peace of mind.

Standing Strong and Moving Forward

We know from past experiences with destructive storms that we'll dig out and rebuild. Irma knocked us down, but we're already getting back up and moving forward. Safeguard Self Storage pledges our commitment to the community's recovery here in Miami, FL and all across our great state. We're proud to stand strong beside you.

It's one of Miami's most colorful and exciting neighborhoods. Little Havana offers endless opportunities to make the most of Social Media Day this June 30^th. Combine the location and the date, and start thinking like an online entrepreneur. Launch a startup in Miami, FL, let nearby storage units back you up, and make your mark on the digital landscape in one of these 10 sizzling spots. 

1. Marlins Park

Shine bright on Instagram at this year's MLB All-Star Game. Knock it out of the social media park with posts from Miami's hometown field right here in Little Havana. 

2. Domino Park

Celebrate the simple pleasure of playing a treasured tradition. Locals bring extra chairs from their storage units and relax under shady pavilions. 

3. Calle Ocho

Share the neighborhood's unique vibe up and down Southwest Eighth Street. The beautiful stretch features lovely Mediterranean architecture and its own Walk of Fame. 

4. Tower Theater

Post the debut of your video career from this legendary Art Deco movie theater located in the heart of the district's cultural scene. 

5. Nuevo Siglo Supermarket

Dine on Cuban classics at the counter, and become social media certified foodie. Photos of delicious dishes like chorizo, churrasco steak, and sugar cookies with guava will have your likes skyrocketing. 

6. Azucar Ice Cream Factory

Forget filters. The desserts at this specialty shop are picture-perfect just like its colorful interiors. Tag and share dreamy ice cream treats. 

7. El Credito

Snap inspiration for your budding enterprise outside this landmark family business. Enjoy a hand-rolled cigarro while you relax in the historic site's cigar lounge. 

8. West Eighth Street Galleries

Stay motivated to finish those canvases you're keeping in self storage by posting favorite images from Little Havana's eclectic collection of art galleries. 

9. Cubaocho Performing Arts Center

Invite followers to join your rave about this performance venue that blends sizzling nightlife and live music in a tangle of artistic interiors. 

10. Viernes Culturales

Save the last Friday of every month for the neighborhood's very best street fair. It's a vibrant scene for shout-outs celebrating Cuban music, art, and cuisine. 

Snap, Share and Launch

Celebrate Social Media Day by sharing the best of your good times in Little Havana. Use your Instagram connections to let followers know you're in business too. Hashtag that niche, share with all of Miami-Dade County, and let Safeguard help you launch your future with self storage in Miami, FL.

With the new year, it's only natural to start thinking about a clean slate and how you can make the next 12 months even better than the last. For many, the new year means getting in shape and improving their overall well-being. Make it your resolution to take up yoga. Although there are many studios from Little Havana to Palmetto Bay, FL, something closer to home may be an even better idea. Make space for your Zen and turn your spare room into a yoga studio. 

Transform Your Spare Room into a Yoga Studio

Having a yoga studio at home gives you the freedom to practice anytime you want. You’ll save money, without expensive fees for a trainer or using up gas driving through the Miami Design District. At home, you won’t feel intimidated by the yoga pros who can somehow balance on their elbows. With a bit of work, a pinch of motivation and some help from self-storage, you'll go from lounging on the couch to the warrior pose in no time.

1. Get rid of the clutter.

Yoga requires a lot of room to perform the variety of movements. You can't expect to go through the warrior poses when a dresser or a bed blocks your way. For a pure yoga space, you’ll need every inch of your spare room, which means moving almost everything out. For a temporary or permanent storage solution, move your belongings into one of our affordable storage units.

2. Decorate with intent.

Try not to make the space look too busy. The point of decluttering is to create a space in which you can move about without distractions. A few candles, soft lighting and maybe a muted color for the walls can help set the mood and inspire your meditative journey.

3. Gather your supplies.

Having a few yoga supplies can improve your performance. A yoga mat places you in a focused space and keeps you from sliding around. Invest in a yoga towel to wipe away the sweat, a yoga block to help you balance during difficult moves, and a meditation pillow to cushion your head during savasana, or corpse pose. You should also have water on hand to stay hydrated as you work your way through an entire session.

4. Begin your yoga journey.

After removing clutter from your yoga room and placing it in a storage unit, your supplies on hand, and the mood set, it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Keep in mind that you're making this your own space, a sort of retreat from the real world. So every time you enter your sanctuary, leave your problems behind and focus on improving yourself, your health and your overall well-being.

Start Your Yoga Journey With Safeguard Self Storage

Sticking to your New Year's resolution is never easy, but if you can, it will change your life for the better. If you're ready to turn your space into a yoga room, store your belongings with us. With convenient storage units available from the Miami Design District all the way to Palmetto Bay, FL, keeping your stuff out of the way has never been easier. 

Sometimes it's nice to poke fun at something and completely get away with it. If you enjoy mocking what you see on TV or the Internet, don't miss the King Mango Strut parade in Coconut Grove on December 31. This annual event draws people from Little Havana and all of South Florida to watch people dress up, sing and perform acts while making fun of local and national celebrities, politicians and more. Your local self storage experts at Safeguard Self Storage have the scoop.

How the Parade Started 

When it comes to diversity, you'll find it in Miami, FL. Everyone has their own way of doing things and the freedom to express themselves. Take Glenn Terry and Bill Dobson, the founders of the King Mango Strut. Back in 1982, their marching band wanted to enter the King Orange Jamboree parade. However, they were denied entry because they were playing kazoos and conch shells and using garbage cans as drums.

They decided to form the King Mango Strut as a parody that same year. Since the parade's foundation, it has grown in popularity and includes participants of various races, creeds and cultures. Nothing is sacred at the parade, and most anyone or any issue is a potential target for lighthearted lampooning.

Tips for Participating in the Parade 

Want to make fun of the people in the news? Have something funny to say about the election? Come on down to Miami, FL, and join the fun at the King Mango Strut. You don't have to go through a stringent entry process or need to pay an entry fee. Don't worry if you lack a special skill; just fill out the entry form to get started.

You don't need a long trailer to tow in the parade. Some participants walk in the King Mango Strut while others turn the back of a pickup truck into a float. If you're creating a float, you'll need plenty of supplies like glittery fringe, table skirts and gossamer to create a variety of effects. Balloons always attract attention, and jumbo streamers can accentuate a float in a big way. Consider picking up a bag of assorted candies to toss out into the crowd. It'll make the kids happy and make you stand out from the rest.

Store Your Supplies With Safeguard Self Storage

If you lack the space at home for your float supplies, Safeguard Self Storage has convenient and spacious storage units available in the Little Havana area of Miami. You can use the self storage units to store your supplies before and after the parade. The air-conditioned units will protect your float supplies in the South Florida climate until you need them again at the next King Mango Strut.

National Comic Book Day is just around the corner, and there's no better place to celebrate it than Miami, FL. Although it's most famous for its sand and sun, Miami is also home to many world-class comic book stores. Whether you're new to the world of comics, or you have a collection that could fill multiple Florida storage lockers, check out Miami's top-rated comic shops to find new treasures. 

Three Must-See Miami, FL Comic Book Stores

• Mac’s Comics & Collectibles specializes in new releases from major publishers as well as back-issue comics. Mac's offers a great selection of comics and graphic novels, competitive pricing and knowledgeable staff.
• A&M Comics is one of the nation's oldest comic book shops. Its dimly lit rows of boxes hold more than 80,000 comic books and 2,000 toys. A&M has won the loyalty of comic book fans with its laid-back atmosphere and great customer service.
• Villain’s Comic Book Shop, formerly known as Superheroes Unlimited, is a small and popular store that is open seven days a week. Visit during the early part of the week to avoid the crowds that appear on Wednesday when new shipments arrive.

How to Prepare and Store Your Comic Book Collection

Although Miami is a great place to find comic books, long-term exposure to the Florida heat and humidity can do real damage to their delicate pages. Here are a few tips to help you store and protect your comic books like a pro.

• Bag and board your comic books. Obtain acid-free backing boards, and place one behind each book with the glossy side facing the comic. The boards will keep the books flat and prevent damage from bending or over-handling. Next, place each book in an acid-free polypropylene or polyethylene plastic bag designed for comic book storage; the bags prevent deterioration caused by dust and harmful gases.
• Handle your comics with care. Oil transferred by your fingers can discolor and deteriorate comic book pages, so always wash your hands thoroughly before handling them. Careful page-turning is also a must if you want your books to survive the test of time.
• Box your comics carefully, and store them in a dry, dark and cool location. They must be protected from sunlight, moisture, insects, extreme temperatures and mold, so never store them in your attic, basement or garage.

For Large Collections, Consider Climate-Controlled Storage Facilities

If your collection has grown too large for your house, a Safeguard Self Storage unit is the ideal solution. Miami self storage allows you to prevent clutter in your home while having secure access to your comics at any time. Most importantly, a climate controlled unit ensures that your prized possessions are kept safe from heat, cold, moisture, mold and bugs. Check with your local Safeguard storage facilities for availability and prices.