Automatic Self

Automatic Self

Secure Self Storage

If you've ever considered self storage but worry that your items could be ransacked or stolen if stored away from your home or business, you might want to give it another thought. Self storage is often the most secure storage you can find, but this can vary from company to company.

We've all heard or read news stories about storage facilities being broken into and people's belongings disappearing. Sometimes this was done simply when thieves cut through the padlock that was placed there by the person who pays for the storage rental. Most of these thefts occurred at self storage facilities that didn't really have security beyond that lock.

If you're considering self storage, the best thing you can do for yourself and your belongings is to shop around. Self storage facilities are almost everywhere these days, so there's no need to use the ones that are in your town or immediate local area if you think the security there is questionable. You should be able to find other facilities within a very short drive. And if you're in a rural area where the next nearest self-storage is a longer drive, consider the value of the items you'll be storing.

You might decide the longer drive to access the items is worth the heightened security at a better facility. Or you might decide that what you're storing is pretty replaceable and not valuable, and stay local with a company that has less modern security systems in place. As with all other aspects of self storage that make it such a great solution for so many people, the choice is yours.

If you're looking for a higher level of security, visit the self storage facility at night. You may not be able to get on the premises if they're closed, but you can look at the facility from the outside and see obvious problems like broken fencing or holes in the surrounding fence, and poor lighting.

Facilities that have high fences that are intact and locked when the facilities are closed minimize the risk of a break in. Good lighting also lowers the risk of crime, as most thieves will choose buildings that aren't well lit to minimize the chances that they'll be seen by a passerby.

Is there a guard on duty 24 hours per day, or is the facility unmanned once the gates close? Many are unmanned, but with other measures in place like an alarm system, a fence and good lighting. Some offer guards at all times. Which you choose depends on your specific needs. You'll pay more at facilities with state-of-the-art theft prevention in place, but depending on your stored items, it might be worth it.

Some facilities have specialized alarms to prevent theft, like alarms that sound if a storage unit is open for an extended period of time, or if motion is detected after hours. While not every facility will have such measures in place, they're the mark of a highly secure self storage facility.

Some facilities have closed circuit television monitoring, and managers who live on the premises for added security. A general alarm system for the whole facility, as opposed to alarms that sound for each separate storage unit, is a good general feature for self storage to have. Sign-in or some kind of card swiping might be required by the storage company to give an added measure of security, by at least creating a list of people who have visited the facility during operating hours.

Ask about your self storage facility's smoking policy. Choose one that doesn't allow smoking on the premises, and make sure that you can see fire extinguishers or sprinklers. Ask about fire and smoke alarms, which even the most basic storage facility should have.

For RV storage, boat storage and vehicle storage that's outside, what kind of security measures does the facility have in place to further protect your item? Will you feel safe storing valuables in a mini storage room that doesn't have a reinforced door to further protect against break ins? Do their alarm systems link to the local police, or do they just sound an alarm? Alarm systems that sound when no guard or manager is on the property won't draw fast attention the way that automatic police-connected alarms will.

Ask the self storage owner or manager about previous problems that might have occurred there, and if they admit there have been some, ask what steps they've taken to make it less likely to happen again.

About the Author

Simply Self Storage - What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

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