Despite what you may or may not have seen on Storage Wars, self storage is not where most people deposit—and then forget about—all of their junk.
Rather, it’s a place where people keep items that are either useful or valuable. That could mean anything from lawn care equipment to priceless antiques. It doesn’t matter how valuable the items in your storage unit actually are, however. The bottom line is this: You want—and expect—that anything you store will be stored securely. Your stuff is valuable to you, or else you wouldn’t have kept it.
According to some estimates, the United States boasts 2.5 billion square feet of storage units—and that number keeps growing. It would be naïve to think all self storage facilities adhere to the same standards when it comes to security.
So how do you find a facility guaranteed to keep your vinyl collection, baseball cards, or artwork safe? How can you be sure your business records will be protected? You ask questions . . . but what are the right questions to ask?
Six Secure Self Storage Questions
How Much Lighting is in the Facility?
The entire place should be clearly lit, without shadows or dark corners. Both the property and the storage unit itself should have easy visibility to help ease any nerves or concerns. Navigating the facility should be fairly easy, too. Look for signage to point out things like bathrooms, exits, and stairwells (if your facility has multiple floors).
Does the Facility Offer 24-hour Video Surveillance?
A well-lit facility coupled with 24-hour video surveillance is the one-two punch that’ll keep your belongings secure. Make sure cameras are plentiful—and not just at the entry to the facility. Ask who monitors the cameras and how long the footage is kept. If your things are in storage for a long time, you may not realize something is missing until all the boxes are moved. Being able to check that footage later on is important.
Who has Access to Storage Units?
Ideally, you’ll want to find a facility that’s gated with keypad entry to ensure only customers and employees have access to the units. Also, take a look at the kind of gate used for the facility, especially if your storage unit will be an exterior or drive-up one. Is it a chain-link fence that’s seen better days? Is it a taller and sturdier border, perhaps an iron-rod fence or—even better—a brick barrier?
What Kind of Locks are Used?
Does the facility use padlocks (like you had on your locker in high school) or a keypad entry? Almost any kind of lock can be picked without all that much effort. What’s more, a keypad entry ensures you never have to worry about a key that’s been lost or misplaced.
How Long has the Facility Been in Business?
Unless you know Jack personally (and trust him), it’s probably best to stay away from facilities like “Jack’s Super Storage.” Instead, look to do business with companies that have a long and established reputation.
Have There Been Any Recent Safety or Theft Issues?
This question really cuts to the heart of the matter. If all of the above conditions have been met, a facility is as secure as possible. However, this question will help paint a fuller picture of the facility you’re considering. The storage facility manager may not like to answer this question with a “yes” or “no,” but pay attention to their body language when you ask it. The answer is probably right there in front of you.
Other Concerns to Keep in Mind
Sure, you want your unit to be safe, but you want more than that. Are all of the units clean? We’re not talking just “kind of” clean but a level of clean your mother would approve of.
Is the staff friendly and helpful? Are climate controlled units available? This is extremely important for items that can be damaged by temperature and humidity swings, such as electronics, art, antiques, and books.
Are you locked into a contract, or can you rent your unit on a month-by-month basis? Does your facility have a covered loading bay? Is the facility all on one floor? Is on-site parking available?
You might think many of these things would be a given—and they are at some facilities—but it’s always wise to double-check any assumptions you might have.
Secure Self Storage at StorageMart
At StorageMart, we take pride in offering secure self storage units that are as bright and clean as your own home, with video surveillance and keypad locks, of course. You’ll find units as small as a coat closet and as big as a garage. Perhaps best of all, you’ll never be locked into a long-term commitment. Interested in learning more? Check out our storage unit guide to find the ideal set-up for you, or contact us to rent a unit online today or to get more information.
Updated February 10, 2020