Chicago, IL is known for many things, like pizza, the Bears and the Cubs. Those who love horse racing also know Chicago for its legendary tracks and rich racing history. Since the 1830s, Chicagoans have sat in the stands and watched some of the best thoroughbred racing of all time. The Breeders' Cup is held on November 4 and 5 this year in California, but people everywhere from Uptown and Beverly to Lake View and West Rogers Park will drag their good luck charms out of their Safeguard self storage units before watching and placing bets on the race.

A Brief History of Horse Racing in Chicago, IL

In the early 1830s, horse racing came to the Chicago metropolitan area. One hundred years later, the city had six racing tracks, more than any other city in the country. Legendary tracks such as Brighton Park and Dexter Park opened in the 1860s, paving the way for the illustrious Washington Park in 1883; it hosted many racing events until it closed in 1977.

Today, horse racing is still alive and well in Chicago. In fact, the Hawthorne Race Course opened in 1891 and still operates every spring and fall. Arlington Park, which opened in 1927, has hosted, and continues to host numerous races, including the Breeders' Cup in 2002. Racing fans from the Chicago suburbs, such as Lake View and Beverly, piled into Arlington Park to watch this prestigious event.

2016 Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park

The Breeders' Cup may not be in Chicago this year, but it doesn't mean that you can't still enjoy the fun from your couch in Uptown or West Rogers Park. Sports bars across the area will televise the event, or you can tune in to NBC and watch at home. You can also log on to the Breeders' Cup website and place bets without leaving your house.

Safeguard Self Storage Welcomes Horse Racing Fans

When you're in town for the races, store your items at a nearby Safeguard Self Storage facility. We have short-term storage units available to house your belongings while you're at the track. We also provide long-term storage units for those who fall in love with the area and want to make the Windy City their home.

In your role as a teacher, there's nothing more satisfying and joyful than knowing that you're really connecting with the kids. Take a cue from the Brooklyn Center of Performing Arts, and put the power of music to work in your classroom. Add a collection of tunes to your teaching supplies at a Safeguard Self Storage facility here in Brooklyn, NY, and join the chorus of educators expanding young minds with a little music.

Local Resources for Teachers

Children and music have always been natural partners. Educators recognize that bringing songs into the classroom plays on that wonderful relationship. This isn't a new concept, but it's quickly moving from performing arts classes to campuses all across the city. Local teachers embrace tips from diverse programs like the Brooklyn Center's Target Family Fun program and SchoolTime series. The school's downloadable Performance Study Guides are excellent resources for connecting music to classroom time.

Why Tunes Work

From controlling a room of noisy kids to building a sense of community, music can be one of your best teaching aids. Children and adults respond to a good song with the same sense of enjoyment that opens up minds to creativity and critical thinking. It simply puts everyone in a good mood, and that fires up neurons that turn on the learning process. Used correctly, tunes in the classroom raise energy levels, increase attention and improve memory.

Music as Your Teaching Tool

Today's digital world makes it easy to introduce your students to sounds from around the globe. If you want a half hour of classical to quiet things down, selections are at your fingertips. Music for kids in the classroom today has become a compact, inexpensive and very effective teaching tool. Instead of storing vinyl and bulky record players in self storage, you can fill your unit with textbooks, notebooks and binders. Whether you use songs to teach vocabulary, explore poetry or set the mood for creative writing, a good tune makes the classroom experience more enjoyable.

The sound of happy kids learning and having fun creates a beautiful melody that never grows old. Our Flatlands storage facility is just down the street from the Brooklyn Center of Performing Arts and supports local educators with affordable, convenient options. You do a great job every day, and our teams here at Safeguard Self Storage applaud your dedication to inspiring young minds all across the city.

Space is a home's best asset, but space is often at a premium during the holidays. Fortunately, self storage offers a solution! Learn how storage units can help you make more room for family and more holiday fun.

Seasonal Items
Make a place for the Christmas tree and all of those decorations by putting seasonal items and unused furniture in a storage unit. Now, your decorations can be the center of attention instead of that thrift store couch. The winter is the ideal time to store camping equipment, mountain bikes, patio furniture, clothing and items that won't be used until next spring.

Room for Guests
The holidays are that special time of year when the guest room really is actually used for guests. Before your visitors arrive for the big meal, clear out the sewing machine, laundry, stamp collection or anything else that has turned your guest room into an unusable space. Put your extra things in a convenient self storage unit until your festivities are over.

Protect Possessions
Protect your prized collection of fragile antiques, art, mirrors and other delicate items by putting them into a self storage unit while all of those nieces, nephews and grandchildren are running around the house. Storing your knick-knacks is a great way to clear off the mantel and low-level spaces that attract small hands.

Climate controlled storage is heated during the cold winter months and air conditioned during the warm summer months so it is perfect for making extra room and freeing up cluttered areas. Store seasonal items for part of the year, or take advantage of short-term self storage options for a few months. If you walk around your home, you'll probably be able to fill up several boxes with items that aren't needed during the holiday season. After the holidays are over, you can store those extra chairs and put your knick-knacks back on the mantle.

If you need extra storage space for the holidays, don't worry. Just head to your local Safeguard Self Storage! We offer convenient storage locations with state of the art storage amenities with month-to-month storage unit rentals and our customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do.

New York City is famous for its harsh winters. It is not unusual for the city to get hit with monstrous blizzards and ice storms and cold is pretty much the norm, with average winter lows around 29 degrees. Self storage is a great way to keep your belongings out of the elements. But make sure the storage you choose is the appropriate kind.

If you are considering storing delicate items in NY self storage this winter, consider opting for a heated and air conditioned storage unit. These units protect belongings by keeping the temperature range between 55 and 85 degrees, the optimal range for self storage. Having a controlled environment to store household items, family heirlooms and photographs is especially helpful during the winter to keep them in the same condition as when stored.

One main benefit of heated and air conditioned storage is protection from inclement weather. These units keep rain and snow from penetrating into the storage unit. In addition, the units also protect valuables from dirt, dust and pests. Those who have fragile antiques or sensitive musical instruments can safely store their items without worry about the elements affecting their items. 

Another advantage of climate-controlled storage is atmospheric regulation. Each storage unit maintains a consistent temperature to protect the stored items from humidity. In a non-controlled environment many undesirable things can happen to your stored items such as, wooden-based furniture pieces can crack or split from the constant cycle of freezing and thawing, paper items can yellow and mold may form on material or cloth. Those who have valuable items to store should choose a Bronx self storage company that offers heated and air conditioned units. 

Those who are in search of Queens NY self storage, Brooklyn NY self storage, or Bronx self storage should consider choosing Safeguard to meet their needs. Safeguard offers climate-controlled storage so that people can protect their valuables. Besides that, Safeguard is the premiere storage company in New York. 

When you think of Baton Rouge storage units, a ghost encounter may not be the first thing that pops into your head, but that may be because you haven’t heard about the Guaranty Income Life and Broadcasting Building. Located on Government Street, this building once housed the Baton Rouge General Hospital, and the bottom floor was the site of the hospital morgue. Now an office complex, the bottom floor is used for business storage. The facility is known for its chilling paranormal activities and is considered one of the most haunted places in Baton Rouge.

No Climate Control Here

When the hospital was renovated into an office building, the old morgue freezer was transformed into a file storage facility, and the rest of the bottom floor now houses a few office spaces and a cafeteria. Even though the freezer is no longer in existence, security guards have reported nighttime temperature drops on the bottom floor only. It is widely believed among paranormal investigators that this “cold spot” phenomenon is an indication of ghostly activity. Adding fuel to the supernatural fire is the fact that bizarre sounds can often be heard coming from this area, and the elevators have been known to operate on their own after building occupants have left for the day. Because of these frightening occurrences, security guards rarely visit this floor. 

Baton Rouge Self Storage

While you may want to visit this haunted storage facility for a little spooky fun this Halloween season, when it comes to your own storage needs, you’ll likely want to keep the goose bumps to a minimum. For a decidedly less spine-tingling Baton Rouge storage facility, consider Safeguard Self Storage. Instead of giving you chills, we offer air conditioned and heated storage units, computer controlled access, individual storage unit door alarms, digital video recording, convenient access hours, moving and packing supplies and a helpful staff dedicated to meeting all of your storage needs.  Contact us today to learn why Safeguard Self Storage is the premier Baton Rouge self storage company. Don’t Just Store It. Safeguard It!

There are a number of reasons as to why home and business owners take advantage of self storage units. Thankfully, self storage units, including climate controlled storage units, offer a wide range of benefits. Let's take a close look at why you may be in need of public storage units.

Understanding Hoarding

When it comes to hoarding, many people are in denial. For others, they may not realize they are hoarding simply because they don't understand the concept. To keep things simple, you need to understand that hoarding involves the desire to hold on to personal belongings; this desire translates into creating space for the items even when no space is available. If you have come to accept the fact that you are a hoarder, you need to take comfort in knowing that you don't have to keep all of your belongings in your actual living space. Instead, you can store many of them in a public storage unit.

Hoarding can result in a wide variety of negative consequences. From safety hazards to the loss of living space, it is important that as a hoarder, you take advantage of self storage units. In doing so, you will gain the following benefits:

• Reduced Clutter: When hoarding in your home, by moving some of your items to self storage, you will notice a reduction in clutter and more living space for you and your loved ones to enjoy. When hording in your office, storing some items in a self storage unit will help you will open up your work area allowing you to think clearer. It will also allow you to utilize your work area more productively. Soon you will be well on your way to a neat and tidy living/work space.
• Safety: When things are cluttered together, safety hazards abound; this is especially true if you have small children living in the home with you. You need to make sure you take advantage of self storage as this will help in lessening potential safety hazards.
• Protection: Some of your belongings need to be stored in a proper manner, meaning away from harmful weather elements. In fact, this very condition may be the reason you are hoarding in the first place. Thankfully, public storage units are available in air conditioned and heated storage units. You can rest assured that when storing your beloved belongings in air conditioned and heated storage units, your items will be stored away from harmful weather conditions.
• Security: Self storage units are available with some great security features. When going about choosing a public storage unit, make sure you choose one that offers computer controlled access, unit door alarms, digital video recording of the property and store wide intercom system. You should also seek a storage location that offers self storage insurance for your added peace of mind.
• Convenience: If you want full access to your items, take comfort in knowing that both air conditioned and heated storage units and non-air conditioned and heated public storage units are available with 24 hour access, 365 days a year. No matter the time of day or night, you can easily access your belongings, including adding more items to the units or removing the ones you want to take back home. Also looks for self storage locations that offer drive-in loading areas, cargo elevators, moving carts and dollies, packing supplies and online customer payments. These amenities make storing your items a breeze.

Whether you need a regular self storage unit or a climate controlled storage unit, public storage is beneficial for a number of reasons. As a hoarder, you need to get your life back on track, why not start by putting your extra items in a public storage unit?

Safeguard Self Storage expanded its presence in the New York metropolitan self-storage market again with the opening of its newest location, a 57,000 net rentable square foot addition to its existing facility on Bronx Boulevard in Bronx, New York about four miles northeast of Manhattan. Safeguard opened its 63rd store nationwide and its 23rd store in the New York metropolitan market today.

Safeguard Bronx II Self-Storage

Safeguard Self Storage, a provider of premium self-storage solutions, opened its twenty-third operating location in the New York metropolitan self-storage market. This facility, conveniently located at 4323-4327 Bronx Boulevard in the Bronx will continue to help provide this community's growing demand for high-quality storage units and self-storage space.

Safeguard has a deeply established presence in the New York market, now with 23 open locations. Less than three months ago, Safeguard Self Storage opened its 21st operating location on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, New York and acquired its 22nd location in Thornwood, New York (about 20 miles further north) a month later.  As is typical of Safeguard's 63 stores nationwide, the Bronx II self-storage facility is designed with security, convenience and customer service in mind. Amenities at this location include: heated and air conditioned space, a convenient drive-up loading area, computer-controlled access to the building and digital\video recording of the property.

"Safeguard's strong development ability enabled the company to acquire the land and design and build this exceptional 57,000 square foot facility in a densely populated area to help serve this market.  This new store complements the company's development and acquisition of new locations.  The company owns four other properties in development, two of which are in New York and one of which is also in the Bronx and two of which are in South Florida.", reported Allan Sweet, Chief Executive Officer of Safeguard Self Storage. 

"This new store expands the company’s presence and adds to the critical mass that the company has developed around the Safeguard brand in the New York metropolitan area", said Mark B. Rinder, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. 

"The Bronx Boulevard location, like all of our New York facilities, is designed to provide an exceptional customer experience and is tried and true for the company.  Safeguard built the Bronx I store on the same street, nearly immediately adjacent to this new store and opened it in 2005.  Thus, we know this market well.  With this new store open, we continue to move full speed ahead on the company’s West Farms location in the Bronx and expect to open that store next year” said James Goonan, Senior Vice President of Development who has been leading the development activities of Safeguard portfolio for 13 years. 

Ken Finlay, Senior Vice President of Operations added, "Its convenient location (immediately off the exit ramp from the Bronx River Parkway), the plethora of amenities and the company’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service, makes renting with Safeguard the best storage option in the Bronx and the surrounding area.  What makes Safeguard unique is the relationship that we develop with our customers--they are very important to us.   We look forward to continuing to serve the residents and business people of the Bronx that we’ve gotten to know over the past eight years. It's a great community and we're proud to be part of it."

Bronx II, NY Location: 
Safeguard opened the Bronx II, NY self-storage location on August 14th, 2013. This facility has 893 storage units in 57,000 leasable square feet with a variety of unit sizes currently available. The Bronx II store team is led by the same team which Walter Mejia, Facility Manager and Denise Hardy, Assistant Manager, and Andrea Wallace, Assistant Manager.

Mark B. Rinder - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Safeguard Self Storage | Atlanta

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!

Good news for all of you who need storage units in Thornwood, New York!

* * *

Safeguard Self Storage, a provider of premium self-storage solutions, recently acquired its twenty-second operating location in the New York metropolitan self-storage market. This facility, conveniently located at 950 Broadway in Thornwood Village will continue to help provide this community's growing demand for high-quality storage units and self-storage space.

Safeguard has a deeply established presence in the New York market, now with 22 open locations. Less than three weeks ago, Safeguard Self Storage opened its 21st operating location on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, New York and will open its 23rd location on Bronx Boulevard late next month. As is typical of Safeguard's 62 stores nationwide, the Thornwood self-storage facility is designed with security, convenience and customer service in mind. Amenities at this location include: heated and air conditioned space, a convenient drive-up loading area, computer-controlled access to the building and digital\video recording of the property.

"Because of Safeguard's strong capital position, we were able to complete the acquisition in just 47 days from execution of the contract to closing. This new store complements the company's aggressive development of new locations from new construction – the company owns five other properties, three of which are in New York and two of which are in South Florida in various stages of development.", reported Allen Sweet, Chief Executive Officer of Safeguard Self Storage. "This second acquisition of a single operating store (the first being the company’s acquisition of the McCook, Illinois store about 18 months ago) has solidified the Safeguard management team’s skills required to complete larger acquisitions. It is clear to me that this team is now poised to be able to conduct multiple store acquisitions simultaneously", said Mark B. Rinder, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

"The Thornwood location, like all of our New York facilities, is designed to provide an exceptional customer experience. The high quality of this store, matching Safeguard's superior portfolio, made completion of the acquisition easier than expected," said Michael Frosaker, Senior Vice President of Asset Management who, together with James Goonan, Senior Vice President of Development, led the effort to acquire this store for the Safeguard portfolio.

"This new facility complements our product offering there and provides Safeguard Self Storage with deepening critical mass in this market," explained Goonan.

Ken Finlay, Senior Vice President of Operations added, "Its convenient location (right in the center of the town), the plethora of amenities and the company’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service, makes renting with Safeguard the best storage option in Thornwood and the surrounding area. What makes Safeguard unique is the relationship that we develop with our customers--they are very important to us. We look forward to getting to know and serve the residents and business people of Thornwood. It's a great community and we're proud to be part of it."

Thornwood, NY Self Storage in brief:

• Safeguard acquired the Thornwood, NY self-storage location on June 10th, 2013.
• This facility has 358 storage units in 32,760 leasable square feet with a variety of unit sizes currently available.
• The Thornwood store team is led by Georgi Turer, Facility Manager and Daniel Dorado, Assistant Manager (transferring from the Elmsford, NY store effective today).

Visit us today!

950 Broadway
Thornwood, NY 10594
Phone: 914-295-2124
Fax: 914-769-6970