Protect Your Stored Belongings with a Secure Lock

A disc lock on a storage unit door.

Modern self storage facilities are not a particularly popular target for thieves as these types of structures typically have security features that act as strong deterrents to this type of activity. Security features should include computer controlled access, individual door alarms, digital video cameras and store-wide intercom systems. However, if you intend to store valuable possessions, be sure to select a secure lock for your Safeguard Self Storage Brooklyn, NY mini storage unit. Popular options include disc locks, cylinder locks and closed shackle padlocks.

Disc Locks

Disc locks feature enhanced security elements. This type of lock can withstand attacks involving picking equipment, sledgehammers and drills. A disc lock has a sturdily constructed shackle that attaches tightly around the door latch of a storage unit. This design element makes it next to impossible for would-be thieves to attach bolt cutters to the shackle of the lock. The locking mechanism of a disc lock also has anti-pick components. This kind of lock is the most popular securing device for self storage units.

Cylinder Locks

Cylinder locks are especially secure because they are placed inside of the latch of your Brooklyn, NY mini storage unit. This setup is similar to the locking mechanism found on expensive equipment. Cylinder locks cannot be cut off the door’s latch since they don’t protrude away from it. In addition, they are extremely tough and resistant to being drilled or picked.

Even More Protection

Some home insurance policies may cover the property that you store in an off-premise storage facility, but they may not protect you in all types of loss situations. Therefore, when you place belongings in storage, consider taking out a supplemental insurance policy for extra protection. By placing a disc or cylinder lock on the unit most insurance companies will waive the policy deductible should any issues occur. 

Safeguard’s Hollis, NY storage facilities strive to protect your belongings from temperature fluctuations, moisture, dust and pests. To make sure your unit is extra secure, purchase a lock that will discourage thieves. Before buying any lock, contact Safeguard Self Storage to confirm the securing device’s compatibility with the unit’s latches, or just purchase a high security disc or cylinder lock from Safeguard at a great price. For added peace of mind, take out an extended insurance policy for your stored goods. For your convenience there are different insurance policies available at Safeguard Self Storage with coverage provided by Bader Insurance. Safeguard Self Storage has locations throughout New York. Click here to find a Safeguard New York storage facility near you.

Starting a Small Business from Home

If you're starting a new business, you can keep overhead low by working from home and using a self-storage unit for your business-related items. A Bronx, NY business storage unit or Lombard, IL business storage unit from Safeguard gives you extra space you might not have at home, without breaking the bank.

Starting a Home-Based Business

To start working from home, you need to create a dedicated space to conduct your business. Therefore, you may have to clean out a spare bedroom or make space in a living room for a desk and any office furniture and items you need.

1. Find a space.

Locate an area in your home that can serve as your work space. Clean out a cluttered bedroom, and store the items in a storage unit. If you don't have a spare room, select an area in a walk-in closet or in a corner somewhere with the least distractions.

2. Set up an office.

Create a simple office space with a desk, an ergonomic chair, a table lamp and a laptop. Place a floor filing unit next to the desk to store paperwork and to organize all your files. Keep things simple to prevent cluttering the space with unnecessary items.

3. Set your hours.

Treat your home business as you would any job. Set your hours of operation, and stick to your schedule. Set daily, weekly and monthly goals, and track each day to see how well you're progressing.

Get Extra Office Space with Self Storage

With a spare room and a self-storage unit, you can have an office and an inventory warehouse for your home-based business. A Bronx, NY business storage or Lombard, IL business storage unit offers plenty of space for merchandise, and you can always set up shelving for additional space and keep everything clean and organized. If you’re interested in creating extra space in your home or storing your business items, find a Safeguard Self Storage near you. 

Get Organized in the New Year

Getting organized in the New Year means more than buying a new calendar and keeping track of your events. It also means de-cluttering your home or office space and removing all distraction and stress from your life. With Safeguard's Miramar, FL storage units or a Hollis, NY storage unit rental, you have a place to store your clutter so that you can focus on achieving your goals in a cleaner, more organized space.

It's hard to throw out things you've collected over the years and part with items that have sentimental value. It's also difficult to find extra space for those items and still keep your room organized and tidy. If you have a cluttered home or office, you can get organized easily by changing your outlook in the New Year.

1. Keep what matters the most.

Start in each room, and place all the things you plan to keep in one pile. Set the things you can depart with in a separate pile. Pack your keepsakes in boxes, label them with a black marker and store them in a Safeguard Self Storage unit.

2. Organize all paperwork in filing cabinets.

It's easy to clutter a desk with old and new paperwork. Invest in a desk-side filing cabinet, and file the paperwork away for a more organized work area.

3. Simplify your space.

Furniture and decor add up over time. Simplify your space by moving unnecessary items to a storage unit. You can store your belongings in the unit for safekeeping or organize it all and have a yard sale later for extra income.

Get Organized With Self Storage

De-clutter your home or office space with a Hollis, NY storage unit rental or a Miramar, FL storage unit. You can enjoy a more organized, stress-free environment and keep your belongings securely packed away. Find a Safeguard Self Storage near you to help you start the New Year off right. 

Safeguard to add Solar Power Capabilities at more Facilities

Safeguard Self Storage has always been committed to safeguarding your treasured belongings, and we also strive to safeguard our planet by employing environmentally friendly practices. We are excited to announce that 24 of our self storage locations are now being equipped with solar panels, which will allow us to create our own clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Solar panels create energy from the sun’s light by a process called the Photovoltaic Effect. Solar panels, which consist of layers of semiconductor materials (silicon, phosphorus, and boron), absorbs and filters the photons from sunlight. The electrons are released through the negatively charged layer of phosphorus and are attracted to the positively charged boron layer. This creates a magnetic field similar to a household battery. The solar panels use an external conductor to harvest this charge and send it where needed. It is truly an amazing technology and Safeguard Self Storage is excited to be on the cutting edge of sustainable energy. See below for a list of our self storage facilities that are currently or will soon be equipped with solar power.

  •  1096 US Highway 22, Mountainside, NJ
  • 182 Belmont Ave., Garfield, NJ
  • 2152 Route 35, Holmdel, NJ
  • 140 Spring St., Elizabeth, NJ
  • 45 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY
  • 115 New Hyde Park Rd., New Hyde Park, NY
  • 1176 Broadway, Hewlett, NY
  • 3-7 Valley Ave., Elmsford, NY
  • 85 Weyman Ave., New Rochelle, NY
  • 188 S. Broadway, Yonkers, NY
  • 41-15 Astoria Blvd., Astoria, NY
  • 119-24 Jamaica Ave., Richmond Hill, NY
  • 101-09 103rd Ave., Ozone Park, NY
  • 115 Empire Blvd., Brooklyn, NY
  • 156-01 Liberty Ave., Jamaica, NY
  • 204-02 Jamaica Ave., Hollis, NY
  • 629 Utica Ave., Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY
  • 930 Grand St., Brooklyn, NY
  • 1206 E. New York Ave., Brooklyn, NY
  • 1253 Jerome Ave., Bronx, NY
  • 1648 E. New York Ave., Brooklyn, NY
  • 1726 Hancock St., Ridgewood, NY
  • 2491 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY
  • 4301 Bronx Blvd., Bronx, NY

Make Room for Holiday Visitors

An out of focus, blurred shot of a city skyline at night.

When you live in an exciting, world-class city like Chicago or New York, you likely have many visitors. Especially this time of year, friends and family enjoy traveling to the big city to enjoy the lights, shopping and festivities of these destination cities. Due to the desirability of these areas, attainable real estate tends to run on the small side. You may not have ample room for guests in your apartment or house, but self storage can help you make space for visitors. Whether you'll be hosting one friend or an entire family, Chicago, IL self storage and Brooklyn, NY household storage will allow you to be a gracious host and show off your town during the holidays.

You can clear out an extra room or area in your house to create a temporary guest room for any visitors. An office, den, or entertainment space can be converted into a comfortable guest quarters with a few simple tweaks. First you will want to move excess furniture and clutter out of the area and stash it in a Safeguard Self Storage unit. Use an air mattress, sofa or futon as a bed for guests. Provide clean linens, towels and a pretty soap for a special touch. It’s not a bad idea to ensure an area for guests to keep their belongings during their stay, such as a small set of drawers or a wicker basket. A vase with fresh flowers will brighten the room.

If seasonal decorations clog your attic, basement or spare room, consider taking this opportunity to simplify all holiday decorating. Gather the year's decorative items, group them by holiday and place them in clear plastic containers. Create an inventory list for each tub and place them in your Safeguard Self Storage unit so it faces outward. You'll be able to see each container's contents at a glance; this practice translates especially well to post-Christmas decoration storage.

Now that you've placed seasonal items in storage and thoroughly cleaned your home, preparing for holiday guests will be infinitely easier. Whether you reserve Brooklyn, NY household storage or Chicago, IL self storage, your organizational efforts will become part of your annual holiday preparations. This affordable option also keeps non-seasonal items secure all year long. Contact Safeguard Self Storage today for secure, convenient holiday or year-round storage options.  

Keep Santa's Secret Safe with Self Storage

Santa Claus holding a bag of toys and putting his index finger to his lips in a shushing motion.

One of the trickiest things about preparing for the holidays is secretly wrapping and storing Christmas gifts. That's especially true when there are little ones underfoot, and particularly difficult when large, bulky gifts are involved. Instead of chasing everyone away to wrap in peace and hoping no one stumbles upon the bounty, why not opt for a Metairie, LA storage rental? A storage unit will give you the privacy and peace you need to get every last detail just right before Christmas morning rolls around. With our Miami, FL storage units, there's no need to spend a fortune, either.

Shop and Drop with a Metairie LA Storage Rental

Arriving home with a car full of gifts that still need to be wrapped can be a stressful situation. At any step along the way, a family member could cross your path and discover what will be waiting beneath the tree in a few weeks' time. Imagine how much easier it would be to do your shopping and then drop everything off at a nearby self storage unit instead. Your gifts will be safe in a Miami, FL storage unit, so you can completely eliminate the risk of being caught red-handed.

Move Santa's Workshop to a Storage Unit

Nothing is better than seeing everyone's surprised faces as they open their presents on Christmas morning. By storing your gifts in a Safeguard Metairie, LA storage rental, you can rest assured that the beans will remain un-spilled until the big day. This is an affordable, easy way to eliminate the stress of sneaking around in the days and weeks leading up to the holidays. Storage units are available in the local area, so there's no need to drive far to keep everything you've purchased under wraps and away from prying eyes.

 

Contact Safeguard Self Storage in Metairie, LA, Miami, FL, or any of our locations across Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York or Pennsylvania for holiday storage or year-round self storage needs.  

New Safeguard Self Storage Now Open in Miami

Exterior of the Safeguard Self Storage Flagler facility in Miami, FL.

We are excited to announce the opening or our new Safeguard Miami, FL storage facility, located at 800 West Flagler Street. This new storage facility will be equipped with our top-of-the-line features such as air conditioned units, extra wide hallways and cargo elevators. Our brand new facility also features state of the art security technology such as computer controlled access, unit door alarms, digital video recording and facility wide communication system. You can rest easy knowing that your belongings will be well maintained while in storage with Safeguard. A convenient covered loading area allows customers goods to be protected from the elements while being loaded or unload from a storage unit. We also supply carts and dollies so moving day is always easy! Do you need boxes and packing supplies? We have those available at our new facility too! Purchase 10 or more items and receive a 10% discount off our total.

 

We are located near several highways, making it easy to access your stored belongings. When looking for reliable Miami, FL self storage, consider the new storage units at Safeguard’s Flagler Store. Call 305-722-7614 to reserve your space in our brand new storage building today!

Plans for New Safeguard Self Storage in Long Island Underway

Safeguard Self Storage has announced the purchase, on November 20, 2014, of a land parcel to build a self-storage facility on Sunrise Highway in Massapequa, New York. The store will be the 73rd store for the company nationally when completed and the 27th store in the New York metropolitan area. Three other developments which will be the company’s 24th, 25th and 26th stores in New York are either under construction or about to start demolition prior to construction.

“The New York area is the company’s most important market and this purchase will build on the company’s efforts to increase its critical mass there,” says Allan Sweet, Safeguard’s Chief Executive Officer. “We have been building in New York for over a decade.”

The 61,825 square-foot facility will provide 766 storage units in various sizes. Amenities at this location will include heating/air conditioning, drive-up loading area, computer-controlled building access and digital/video recording of the property. As with most other Safeguard Self Storage stores in New York, the facade of the store will boldly communicate the company’s brand and logo – see the rendering (above) of the Safeguard Massapequa façade.

“This store will be the company’s easternmost location in New York and will fill a real need in this densely populated area of Long Island where there are few other options for storage,” said Jim Goonan, Safeguard Senior Vice-President of Development.

 3D rendering of the Sunrise Hhighway Safeguard Self Storage facility in Massapequa, NY.

Get Ready for Winter in Chicago

Last year, Chicago experienced a brutal winter, one for the record books. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts another chilly Chicago winter filled with rain and snow. With predictions for colder than normal temperatures and above average snowfall in most of the region, Chicagoans need to prepare for another harsh winter that is expected to extend from December to February.

Preparing Your Home and Vehicles for Winter

Your home is your fortress against the frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall, but it is especially vulnerable to frosty conditions if it is not properly prepared. The City of Chicago provides a helpful pamphlet with tips on how you can protect your house and vehicles, including preventing and fixing frozen pipes, winterizing your car and making a family emergency plan.

You can stop the cold from seeping in by replacing worn weather stripping, loose siding and damaged roof shingles. Scatter de-icer on the driveway and porch steps to deter dangerous slips, and remove built-up ice and snow from the eaves and gutters to prevent damage to your house.

Restock Your Emergency Supply Kit

Frequent power outages from severe winter storms means you must prepare to survive the harsh conditions without modern conveniences. At a minimum, your emergency supply kit should contain water, non-perishable food, candles, a radio and flashlight with extra batteries as well as blankets and extra clothing for staying warm. Keep a duplicate kit in the trunk of your vehicle in case you get stranded away from home.

Storing Items During Winter

Your Safeguard Des Plaines IL storage units and Chicago IL self storage units are a great place to stash extra emergency supplies during the warmer months if space is tight in your home. This option is especially useful for storing bulky backup generators and alternative heating and cooking sources. If your summer camping gear is already packed away in your self storage unit, then make sure it is easily accessible.

A storage unit provides a safe and practical place to secure your seasonal items, such as holiday decorations and outdoor furniture, which you want put away before the blustery storms descend. Air conditioned and heated storage units can keep your valuable, environmentally-sensitive items safe as well since the units do not drop below freezing. This is a great option for protecting precious family heirlooms, valuable musical instruments and prized antiques from severe elements.

 

Contact Safeguard Self Storage to learn about our variety of options for Des Plaines IL storage units and Chicago IL self storage units. 

Prepare your Motorcycle for Winter Storage

Some areas of the country do not have a climate suitable for riding a motorcycle year round, even for the most dedicated bikers. When it is time to store your motorcycle for the winter, it is important to store it properly to maintain good condition. A great way to protect your bike from the elements without cluttering your garage is by using Safeguard Self Storage. Take these steps before storing your bike ensure it will be ready to run on the first day of spring.

 1.    Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature, then turn it off.

 2.    Change the engine oil as well as the transmission and primary chain case fluid.

 3.    Replace the oil filter if it is near the next scheduled oil-change interval.

4.    Restart the engine to circulate the new oil.

5.    Dain the gas from the gas tank.

6.    Remove the battery

Whether you use a garage or one of the many available Chicago storage units, do not place the battery directly on a concrete floor. You should place the bike on a platform so that the tires do not rest on any concrete surface, because it increases the risk of dry rot and flat spots. If no stand is available, ensure that you rotate the tires on a regular basis. Ensure tires are properly inflated. Wash and wax or polish painted and chrome parts. Lubricate the chain as well as the throttle and clutch cables.

Cover your motorcycle with a cotton cover or blanket rather than a plastic tarp that could trap moisture and condensation. Dry, well-ventilated Safeguard Self Storage units which are equipped with computer controlled access, individual unit door alarms and digital video recording are an ideal location to store your bike for the winter. Click on a link below to find your Chicago Self Storage Unit or New York Self Storage Unit.

 

Find storage units in Chicago. 

Find storage units in New York.