SELF STORAGE- Protecting Your Stuff

Sometimes you need to store items that you do not have room for in your home in a self-storage or mini storage unit. It can be furniture, clothes, knick knacks, family files, etc. that you need to store. Beware, though, storage units can be targets of burglars, looking for easy to sell items.

Sometimes, they will cut through a back fence then cut the locks on one or more units, taking whatever they can easily carry through the fence. Another strategy is to rent a unit, then over a period of time rummage through a variety of units taking what they want then storing their booty in their unit. They can take their stolen stuff out of the yard without being noticed.

Some ways that you can protect yourself are:

• Be sure to use a padlock with a shrouded shackle, such as a saucer lock, to prevent the lock from being cut with bolt cutters.
• If possible use a cylinder lock.
• Be sure the facility is neat and clean.
• Be sure the facility is fenced all around the storage area.
• Access control is very important. Facilities that require renters to enter a code to enter and leave the facility ensure that only renters have access to the facility. If there is a problem, then the management can review a log to look for any unusual movements inside the fence.
• Security cameras are also important to help identify unusual movements and burglars.
• When you sign your lease, see if the facility owner will cover any of your losses. They probably won’t. So…
• Check with your insurance agent that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your belongings in storage. The storage facility also may offer insurance that you can buy.
• Like at home, keep an inventory of what you have in storage including descriptions, pictures, and serial numbers in case your unit is broken into and your possessions have been stolen. This can help property crimes detectives recover your stuff.

Also, you may need to store your RV, motorhome, trailer, 5^th wheel or boat away from your house because of the covenants in your community or just because you do not have room on your property.

Some security hints for your RV include:

• Limited access, cameras, and fencing are important for an RV storage yard also.
• Don’t leave alcohol, drugs (including prescription drugs) or weapons in your RV. Often teenagers will go through trailers and motorhomes looking for these items.
• Some people will leave the blinds up on the windows and leave the cabinet and refrigerator doors open to show that they have not left anything in their motorhome, trailer or 5^th wheel.
• If you have a flatscreen TV, and it cannot be easily concealed in a cabinet, take it home with you.
• If you are storing a boat, try to take any electronics home to store if you can. Also, secure your pony or trolling motor with a special clamp that thieves cannot defeat. Do not use a cable to secure your motor, cables can be cut. If you don’t have a clamp, take your outboard motor home to store.