What can I put in self storage?

This is a common question which should be explored thoroughly prior to moving items into a self storage unit. Self storage units provide a temporary home for the items of individuals who are experiencing this thing we affectionately call “life”. Find a self storage location with plenty of amenities so you will enjoy peace of mind during the time your items are in storage. But before you let your imagination get away from you, there are some definite dos and don’ts to self storage. 

The Dos:

When deciding to store, understanding the way in which you will access the unit is very important. If you plan on making frequent trips, you should double-check your facility’s hours. Safeguard Self Storage offers 7 day-a-week access hours to your storage units. Most locations offer extended hours and some offer access 24 hours a day to business customers.

Make sure adequate airflow reaches delicate fabrics and that fragile items are spaced out accordingly. Stuffing your storage unit to the brim just to save a few coins could cost you more in damage to your storage items. If in doubt go a bit bigger when selecting storage sizes. A larger unit will also allow easier access to your items saving you time and effort during each trip to the storage unit.

Some items do not do well with fluctuating temperatures and moisture. Be sure to choose air conditioned and heated units or indoor storage where temperatures are regulated when storing sensitive items. Safeguard Self Storagespecializes in indoor 

storage but also offers outside accessible units at some locations based on our customer’s needs.

What are some good items that belong in self storage?

Any item that is not perishable, explosive, corrosive, flammable or harmful make for great storage items, but the list doesn’t stop there.

The Don’ts: 

Weapons are widely prohibited in self storage for reasons of security and safety. Ammunition and/or explosive materials could go off inside the self storage unit. Other hazardous materials such as gas tanks, corrosive liquids or harmful chemicals are not appropriate for self storage. The rules and regulations that prohibit the storage of harmful items are for your safety, the safety of your items and the safety of all other persons and items at the storage location. 

Although some storage facilities offer state of the art security, it is not advised to store extremely valuable items such as delicate family heirlooms, expensive jewelry or irreplaceable photos.

What are some items that don’t belong in self storage?

Weapons, explosives, gas tanks, corrosive liquids, harmful chemicals, expensive jewelry, family heirlooms and irreplaceable photos do not belong in self storage for safety purposes.

At Safeguard Self Storage we have been taking care of our customers storage needs since 1989. Now, with over 60 storage locations across the United States, Safeguard is a leader in the storage industry. When you store with Safeguard, you not only get clean, secure storage solutions—you get over 20 years of storage expertise! Those years of experience mean that you can trust your belongings with Safeguard. Our amenity-packed facilities, competitive pricing, on-site packing supplies, and professional staff make storing with Safeguard easy. Plus, our commitment to our customers’ complete satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do. For more storage information visit one of our stores or call us at 1-877-779-6900 today.

Have you been considering self storage lately? That’s a good thing, because chances are you have been staring at a pile of stuff for a while. Self storage can give you piece of mind that your home is uncluttered and your things are being well maintained. But, before you go gung-ho and throw your stuff in the first storage unit available, you might want to consider these storage tips.

Convenience: There are a number of factors that make up convenience that you should consider: Location, the closer you live to your storage facility, the better. If you plan on making frequent visits, a location that is close, is ideal. Location amenities are also important, items such as flatbed carts to move your items from your car or truck to your unit are a huge help as are cargo elevators to move your items easily to upper floors. Does the facility have a drive in loading area to protect you and your items from inclement weather? Are the hallways wide enough to allow for easy passage to your unit?

Storage Hours: Check your storage facility’s office and access hours and make sure they work with your schedule. Some facilities require that you provide a day’s notice before entering your storage unit. If this doesn’t work, consider different self storage. You should be able to access your items at reasonable times seven days a week.

Security Features: One of the most important factors when deciding on a storage facility is the security system. These systems are designed to deter crime keeping you and your items safe. Does the storage facility have several deterrents in place? How are the individual units secured? Safeguard self storage provides state of the art security systems with computer-controlled access, individual door alarms, digital video recording and facility-wide intercom systems.

Trust and Confidence: Did you feel comfortable doing business with the storage company after visiting the location and discussing your storage needs with the store team? Did they provide you with exceptional customer service? Did they demonstrate to you that they want your business? Use your instincts to help you decide what storage company\location makes the most sense for you.

Special Storage: Do your items need a storage unit with a little more TLC? Air conditioned and heated storage units provide a friendly environment for delicate items. These storage units are designed to safeguard your items from the elements as if they were stored inside your home.

Size: As you probably can guess the size all depends on how much stuff you have to store. Do yourself a favor and go a bit bigger, because you might find more stuff to store along the way. A larger unit also makes it much easier to access your items when you have some additional room to move around in the unit. A larger space may also prevent damage to your items as you will not need to stack items on top of one another as much.

So now that you’ve considered moving that pile of items, it’s time to lock in on a storage facility. Safeguard Self Storage can help you every step of the way. We can reserve your storage unit in minutes, so contact us today!

With 50% of all self storage customers being first time users one may ask how does air conditioned and heated storage make a difference? This is an important question, as many factors play into the decision to store in a climate controlled environment. Air conditioned and heated storage, simply put, makes a world of difference and here’s how: 

Elemental Protection – Standard, non-climate controlled storage units are usually found in buildings constructed of metal or tin. These building are generally susceptible to the elements as wind, rain and humidity find ways to penetrate the outer seams and openings. These types of buildings are also affected by major temperature swings as they tend to heat up rapidly during summer days and then cool down at night causing condensation. This moisture can cause warping of wood, yellowing of paper and mildew to grow on stored item.  During the winter months these buildings can become extremely cold causing stored goods to crack or chip. Temperature controlled storage units are designed to protect stored items from large temperature variations preventing moisture and mildew from forming which help items maintain their stored condition.

Sensitive Belongings – documents, photos, antiques, family heirlooms, and other valuables may not survive long term in regular outdoor storage. Choosing a climate controlled storage unit could save you from experiencing significant damage to weather sensitive items. 

Peace of Mind – Knowing that your items are stored in a climate controlled environment, protected from the elements just like your home or office will provide great comfort.  Air conditioned and heated storage units were designed so your items come out of storage in the same condition as when you put them in. What a concept!  

Making the right decision about self storage types is just as important as the decision to store. Making the wrong decision, in the long run, could cause more harm than good. To fully understand what self storage unit type and size is right for you, contact a storage professional today.

The Village of Lombard, Illinois experienced heavy rain and flooding last month accumulating up to six inches in some areas. While the sewage drains and pumps remained fully operational throughout the storm the quality design of our Lombard Storage Facility kept our building and property out of harm’s way.

At our facility in Lombard, 5.8” of rain was funneled from our roof, away from our storage building and deposited into drains around the perimeter of the property. The retention pond filled to capacity, but receded nicely the next morning.

Although the Village President had declared a state of emergency due to flooding of homes and businesses, our facility remained an island amid the rising water. All day our dedicated staff took calls from concerned customers worried about their stored belongings.

It was a pleasure to notify them that our facility was perfectly safe and dry. If you are considering storing your belongings, chose Safeguard Self Storage and discover why we say; don’t Just Store It, Safeguard It!

~Courtesy of Gil Beres

Safeguard is proud to team up with Mayor Bloomberg and the city of New York to establish the first Self-Storage Operator Code of Best Practices. The new codes will ensure self-storage facilities follow best practices to help prevent against the storage of counterfeit items in storage units.

The “Code of Best Practices” Includes the Following Items:

- Manager walkthroughs will be performed daily and a record keeping system establish where, upon unusually activity, further investigational measures will take place.

- Video recording system to be enhanced to sufficiently monitor the property.

- Tenant record system will require photo ID’s of tenants to remain on file for a year after they move out.

- Rental agreements forbid storage or sale of counterfeit items in storage facilities.

Kathleen McGee, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement issued this statement, “We welcome Safeguard Self Storage as a partner in reducing the proliferation of illegal goods and look forward to working with other storage operators in our continued efforts against counterfeiting”.

Safeguard’s mission is to lead the self-storage industry in product quality, service and value. And, as always, Safeguard will strive for continuous improvement in all that we do. Our goal is to provide high-quality products and services that customers can trust and that distinguish Safeguard in the marketplace.