self-storage – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

This is a guest blog post from Price Self Storage.

Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or just need a place to hold onto a few of your things, a personal storage unit often serves as the best option. Public storage units offer people a safe place to store most of their belongings. In fact, everything from old clothes and furniture to large cars and boats can be stored at an appropriate storage facility. Still, sometimes you may find yourself in a position where you shouldn’t store some of your things inside your personal storage unit.

One of the best parts about investing in a personal storage unit remains the level of versatility and flexibility they provide. Whenever you find yourself in need of a little extra space around the house or a place to keep some seasonal decorations, you can always rely on your personal storage unit. While this level of flexibility is often one of the key draws of renting a personal storage unit, there are a few things you should always avoid storing inside of them.

#1: Combustible or flammable materials

On the list of items to never store inside of your public storage unit, combustible and flammable materials should be at the top. These items are considered to be “inherently dangerous”, and are usually prohibited from most storage facilities. These items are cause for concern when it comes to public storage facilities because of the dangers that it presents to the entire facility, not just your own personal unit.

#2: Unregistered vehicles

Believe it or not, vehicle storage remains one of the most common reasons that people seek a public storage facility in the first place. When it comes to the specifics of storing a vehicle, these regulations can vary by state. One thing you’ll definitely want to take note of is whether or not stored vehicles in your state require their registration to be up-to-date. When an unregistered vehicle is kept in public storage facility, some states will classify this as an abandoned vehicle.

#3: Scented candles and soaps

Something a lot of people don’t consider when storing certain items is the way they smell. Scented items such as candles and soaps may seem harmless, but they actually pose a threat to your personal storage unit and the entire storage facility.

Items with a strong scent can be stored, but often also attract vermin such as rats and mice. Aside from scented candles and soaps, anything with a strong scent, like makeup, perfume, lotion, etc., should also be stored with caution. If you really must store a scented item inside of your personal storage unit, take the extra time to wrap it up and place it inside an airtight container in order to decrease the odds of attracting vermin.

#4: Medical supplies

Doomsday preppers may think to cram as many medical supplies as they can into their apocalypse cache. While seemingly innocuous in nature, you should always proceed with caution when looking to store medical supplies and equipment. Many of these items contain radioactive material that cannot be legally stored within a self-storage facility.

#5: Firearms and ammunition

When it comes to finding a place to store your firearms and ammunition, there isn’t a one-size fits all approach. Many self-storage facilities prohibit the storage of firearms and beyond that, some states prohibit such behavior all together. In regards to storing ammunition, however, it’s an entirely different story.

Ammunition cannot be stored in a storage unit, regardless of whether or not it is stored with or without firearms. Ammunition, much like other combustibles such as fireworks and gasoline, are considered to be inherently dangerous and cannot be stored within a storage facility. When storing ammunition in your home, be sure to do so in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets. Additionally, ensure your ammunition is kept in a cool, dry place as extreme heat and can cause a serious issue for stored ammunition.

Addressing concerns over what to store

When moving items into your storage unit, some things may immediately raise red flags with concerns while others might not. The best thing to do if you have concerns about the items you’re planning on moving in is to check with the staff at your storage facility and see what is allowed.

About the Author

Price Self Storage provides reliable self-storage to residents throughout California. With over a dozen different storage facilities across the state, they are one of the most trusted and affordable self-storage facilities around.

Patrons of Price Self Storage rest assured knowing that they’ll always be able to find a storage unit that fits their specific needs. Featuring storage units ranging in sizes from as small as 4 x 5 to as large as 20 x 30, there’s always a storage unit for you whether you’re storing a few old things or your boat or RV.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK storage

Finding and using self-storage can be a daunting task, and if you’re looking for storage you probably already have your hands full. Maybe you’re undergoing a life change such as a move or military relocation, or maybe you simply are trying to restore order to a home that’s overgrown with clutter. Whatever your reason for self-storage, here’s the lowdown on the self-storage basics.

Why use self-storage?

One of the most common uses for self-storage is for home use. When a homeowner or renter realizes they have accumulated more than they can comfortably keep in their home, they may turn to self-storage to help manage the chaos. Some people seasonally rotate their items between their home and storage unit, including summer and winter wardrobes, swimming pool supplies or holiday decorations.

You may also consider self-storage if:

You need to store personal or business documents in a safe place
You’re a service member or college student with frequent moves
You’re a car collector or boat owner

How do I choose a storage unit?

When selecting a storage unit, while location matters, it isn’t the only critical factor. Also ask yourself which amenities you may need. For example, if you have any items that are sensitive to heat, cold, dust, or moisture, you may want to ensure the storage unit is climate controlled. Items that need climate control may include:

Documents
Fur coats
Electronics
Computer equipment
Vehicles

Additionally, think about when you are hoping to access your belongings. Some storage units have fixed hours, while others have 24-hour access. If safety is a concern, ensure the facilities have surveillance cameras, ample lighting, security fences, or management that lives on-site.

What size storage unit do I need?

For determining your storage unit size, make a list ahead of time of the items you would like to store. Units can range in size from 5’ x 5’, which is like a standard closet, to 10’ x 30’, which can contain the contents of a 3- to 4-bedroom house. In-between, there are sizes comparable to standard and large walk-in closets, as well as those that can hold the contents of multiple rooms or a small home. When choosing a size, be sure to go for something a little bigger than the items you actually have so that you are able to walk around freely as needed. Also leave some room between the walls and stored items for better ventilation.

Do I need self-storage insurance?

Generally, self-storage units do not automatically provide self-storage insurance. We highly recommended you research insurance options before storing your items. Even if a self-storage company is highly secure, floods, fires and other natural disasters could still happen. Your first stop should be your homeowner/renter’s insurance policy, as you may already have coverage. If not, you may be able to purchase add-on coverage at a better price than if you were to purchase directly from a self-storage company.

The next step if you are unable to secure insurance through your current provider is to see what kind of insurance the self-storage facility can provide. If you have items of high value, either monetary or sentimental, it may be worth the investment to pay more to insure these items. When insuring your items in storage, be sure to always include a detailed and current list of the stored items and their values.

Self-storage packing tips

If you decide to pack and move items on your own, organization and forethought are key. Try sticking to boxes that are the same size for easy stacking and avoid plastic bags, where contamination can breed. Be sure to fill out the boxes completely to avoid caving, but not so full that your boxes are overflowing. If you have oddly-shaped items, fill in the empty spaces with newspaper or packing material. Be sure not to pack your boxes so heavy that you are unable to lift them, and be sure to choose the right type of container material. For example, you may consider more heavy duty boxes for your books.

Here are some additional packing tips to get you started:

Stack books rather than standing them on-end to protect the spines.
Plates, on the other hand, should be stacked on-end and wrapped individually.
Use bubble wrap for framed art and criss-cross masking tape for mirrors and other glass.
Don’t forget to label your items and mark boxes as fragile as needed. You may consider drilling down your contents even more with a brief list of what’s in the box.
Clean, polish, wipe and treat items before their relocation to preserve and keep germs away. Cover furniture with tarp or sheets.
Take apart bed frames and other furniture for easy transport and storage. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® recommends taping all the pieces to the main base during the packing process to avoid misplacing them.

Self -storage alternative

Sometimes moving your home requires additional space and added flexibility. An alternative option to storage is seeking out availability from a moving company such as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. They provide secure onsite storage facilities whether you have just a few boxes or countless crates and furniture. This option is a perfect fit during home renovations, downsizing or during transitional living between homes.

Moving your items to self-storage

When it comes to loading the moving van, place heavy boxes at the bottom and fragile items on top, with rarely used items toward the front of the van. This way, during the unloading process, the least-used items will be pushed behind more frequently used items. Keep highly valuable items out of plain view to deter theft, and place fragile items on top of heavier, less fragile boxes.

Depending on your schedule and budget, you may decide it’s worth the investment to hire professional movers to pack and move your belongings. If this is the case, be sure to thoroughly research the moving company before entrusting them with your items. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® frequently moves items in and out of storage and arrive with fully trained, uniformed movers to ensure the process is completed with care and efficiency. If you move frequently, you may even be interested in mobile storage, where movers come to your home and pack and store your items in a cube that travels with you.

And that’s it – you are now ready to take charge of your self-storage future! Whether your life is in transition or you just need some of your space back, self-storage units help make daily living a whole lot easier.

Content developed in association with The Parham Group and Noah’s Ark Self Storage.

Tag: self-storage

Five things you should never keep in your storage unit