When shopping for a storage facility, it’s important to look around at different options in your area. Just as you wouldn’t buy the first house you saw or rent the first apartment you checked out, you also need to check out three or four storage facilities before entrusting the site with your valuables.
Professional Staff
A professional and attentive staff at the facility is a sign of a well managed storage facility. Whenever you call the storage facility or visit, you should have all of your questions and concerns answered. Hesitation, unsure answers or rudeness may also be signs of a poorly run storage facility.
A storage facility where management and staff are never onsite can be an indicator of a less than secure storage facility.
It may be more convenient to have 24-hour access to a storage facility, but those late night and early morning hours are more likely to attract thieves. Consider a facility with only daylight business, rather than a 24-hour storage facility.
Overall Condition of the Storage Facility
- Empty or broken beer bottles strewn about the parking area of the storage facility could indicate that there is illicit activity at the storage facility. It could also be a sign that the storage facility is not being watched carefully by management.
- Drug paraphernalia in the parking area may also indicate that the storage facility grounds are unattended and draw illegal activities.
- Broken locks or open storage facility doors are also indicators of an unsecured storage facility.
- There should be proper trash containers on the property, and no garbage scattered in the parking areas.
- Check that the on-site bathroom is accessible only with a key and is not wide open.
- Broken lights, burnt out lights, dim lights or no lighting can cause an unsafe situation.
Secure the Perimeter
Storage facilities without a secure perimeter may also not be the safest places to store your valuable items. A front gate is useless if the entire facility is not surrounded by a gate or secure perimeter.
Opt for a storage facility with a manned gate or key card access. Gated entrances which used codes provide some security, but anyone can give the code out to others.
Cameras at the entrance and along the rows of storage units are a sign of a secure storage facility. Broken or smashed cameras are a sign that the facility may be under poor management or that there recently was break in.
Inside the Storage Facility Units
Check that the floors are clean and dry. Leaks from other storage units can damage your goods.
Also check that the dividers between the units are secure, and there are no holes or gaps leading to other units.
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