Placing Off Season Sports Gear In Storage

Decent security, clean facilities, and climate control are vital parts of keeping different types of belongings safe and in good condition while in storage. Not all storage facilities are the same, as some features are at different quality levels. To make sure your belongings have the proper preservation and protection, consider the types of features you need and ways to figure out the quality level.

Security Options

Storage security ranges from locks on doors to cameras and security guards. Depending on how valuable your belongings are and how high traffic the area is, you may need a different level of security.

If you're just storing some old clothing that lacks resale value, theft isn't likely. You may run into trouble with the rare thrill-seekers who just want to steal, but the career thieves likely won't want to risk getting caught with old clothing when they could search for more expensive belongings for the same level of risk.

Inexpensive or low-value belongings that still have some use will be fine with a roll-down door and a padlock. For items that will likely be a great sale in a pawn shop, avoid using storage sheds and go straight for the indoor storage facilities if space allows. There are some options and hybrids, such as high security storage units that are large and separate, but protected by a fenced or walled in perimeter and security guards.

To test security, camera surveillance and guard interviews are vital. Pick a specific day and time to walk around the cameras, then ask to see footage from that time to make sure that you're in the footage. This will confirm that the cameras are actually recording and not just a deterrent.

Security guards should be on an around the clock schedule. You don't need to distract them on their job, but show up at odd hours to make sure the guards are actually around and not avoiding work. They don't need to be highly motivated and jogging around the premises, but they at least need to be near security monitors or looking around the area.

Climate Control & Regular Cleaning

For cleanliness, a visual inspection isn't enough. Walk around the storage unit and look for cracks, holes, or vents that could be allowing dust, debris, or pests in.

Any cracks can be corrected with filler material, but you'll need to check back every few months to make sure that the cracks aren't spreading as some kind of structural failure--or that creative thieves aren't renting units next door to break into other units through the walls.

One great way to reduce dust and pest infestation is to have a facility that is properly sealed, free of exposed food, and properly air conditioned. Air conditioning provides controlled temperatures that can kill or deter many insects while reducing humidity. Humidity can cause wrinkling in sensitive fabrics, rot in untreated woods, and corrosion or rust in metals.

Corrosion and rust are especially big problems for electronics, since the problems can't often be cleaned off. Many small circuits will be permanently damaged because of corrosion. Contact a storage facility company like LoDo Self Storage & Moving Center to discuss available storage units and protective features.