It's summertime, and storage units in Miami Shores, FL, are busier than ever. Folks are all smiles as they retrieve vacation gear and hot-weather tackle. If you're getting ready to pull your favorite watercraft out of boat storage, take a few minutes to refresh your boat safety IQ with these six tips.

Check Weather and Plans

A beautiful sky in the morning doesn't guarantee sunshine all day. Pay attention to area weather reports. Check water condition forecasts including wind and currents. Once you're sure of smooth sailing, share your plans with someone on land. Let them know where you're headed, who you're traveling with, and when you expect to return.

Check Safety Equipment

Before towing your trusted craft out of boat storage, make sure the basics are on board. USCG-approved life jackets are a must, especially for kids under 16. Most boat storage units have plenty of room for stocking these essentials:

• Navigation lights and day-shapes
• First-aid kits, emergency air horns and distress flares
• Required number of fire extinguishers according to boat size

Stress Safe Behavior

Make certain everyone understands to stay away from boat propellers when they're in the water. This is especially true for first-time tubers or skiers. Don't allow anyone to board or exit the boat while engines are running.

Play by the Rules

Whether you're on the lake, cruising a river, or crossing the bay, always respect established rules of the water. Stay away from larger vessels. Stay on the lookout for swimmers and small craft like jet skis and kayaks. Playing by the rules helps everyone play safer on the water.

Always Have a Backup Skipper

Don't be the only one on board who knows how to handle the boat. Bring along someone who can fill in for you in case you're injured or become sick. Otherwise, you risk stranding craft and passengers out on open water.

Don't Drink and Navigate

It's illegal to drink and operate a boat in all 50 states. The legal limit that applies to drivers on the road applies to the skipper navigating a boat. Don't risk your safety or endanger the lives of others out on a beautiful summer day.

Enjoy the Water

When you head for boat storage, keep our tips in mind. When you want the best storage units available in Miami Shores, FL, keep us at the top of your go-to list. Everyone here at Safeguard wishes you a wonderful summer.

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.

If your heart soars when you see jets fly overhead in formation, get ready to commemorate one of our military’s most exciting milestones. This September 18, the U.S. Air Force marks its 69th birthday. Whether you fly your own or treasure a toy plane collection stationed in self storage, Miami, FL skies are wide open for celebrating this special day.

From Then Through Now

What started in 1907 as a small Army division wasn’t even fully funded until 1912. That year, our infant Air Force flew nine planes. On the eve of World War I, 12 officers commanded a fleet of only six planes. That rapidly changed over the years as the fledgling Air Service became the Air Corps in 1926. The expansion continued beyond World War II, and in 1947, the National Security Act officially created the Air Force as we know it today.

Our Very Own Homestead

Our area here in southern Florida played its own role in Air Force history with the establishment of Homestead Air Reserve Base in 1942. It stood as a war-time home for officers and enlisted men, but a massive hurricane in 1945 destroyed all operations. The field recovered and served as Dade County’s airport for another 10 years. Its strategic location led to reactivation as a military base in 1955. Homestead demonstrated its importance during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War, and it still plays a vital role in our nation’s defense.

Miami’s Tribute and Showcase

With so much Air Force history just down the Reagan Turnpike, it’s no surprise that Miami celebrates our aviation past and present with a dedicated hangar. The Wings Over Miami Air Museum stands as a tribute to veteran aviators and a showcase for vintage planes. Visitors enjoy a hands-on experience that includes World War I aircraft, mid-century seaplanes and retired jet fighters. The museum is an ideal location for honoring the Air Force on its 69th birthday.

We salute the brave men and women who make our U.S. Air Force strong, and we appreciate their hard work and dedication. Whether you’re a member of the service, a resident in one of our neighborhoods or a local business owner, Safeguard Self Storage shares your pride in our great community. Wherever you are in Miami, FL, our storage facility solutions are always at your service.