When storing your valuables or sentimental belongings in a self-storage facility, security should be at the top of your priority list. While price, location, and accessibility are all important, the security measures a facility provides will ultimately protect the items you’ve chosen to store.
It’s crucial to do your research and ensure the facility you choose offers robust security features. A good facility should have multiple layers of protection to safeguard your belongings. After all, if these items didn’t hold value or meaning to you, you wouldn’t be storing them in the first place.
Visiting potential facilities in person is an important step. Seeing the security measures firsthand can give you peace of mind and help you make a confident decision. Unfortunately, storage facility thefts are reported every year, making it more important than ever to choose wisely.
Key Security Features to Look For
Reputable storage facilities employ a layered approach to security, combining both low-tech and high-tech measures. Here’s what to look for:
Low-Tech Security Measures
- Fire and Smoke Alarms: Protect your belongings from unexpected hazards.
- High Fencing: Keeps unauthorized individuals out of the facility.
- Well-Lit Areas: Ensure the facility is brightly lit, especially during winter months when daylight is limited. Constant lighting provides added safety and deters intruders.
- Clear Access to Units: The path to your unit should be unobstructed, allowing video surveillance to capture clear footage.
- On-Site Security Guards: Video cameras are helpful, but they can’t chase away intruders. Security guards are a valuable layer of protection.
- Access Gates: Facilities should require entry through a secured access gate—never choose a location where anyone can drive up to the units freely.
High-Tech Security Measures
- Digital Keypad Access: Limits entry to authorized individuals.
- Wireless Door Alarms: Detect unauthorized access to individual units.
- Motion Sensors: Alert staff to unusual movement within the facility.
- Remote Off-Site Monitoring: Ensures surveillance even when staff isn’t on-site.
- Visible Video Surveillance: Cameras not only monitor activity but also act as a deterrent to potential intruders.
Additionally, choose a facility that is well-staffed. Large facilities with only one or two employees may struggle to monitor the property effectively.
Extra Security Measures You Can Take
While choosing a secure storage facility is essential, you can also take extra precautions to safeguard your belongings:
- Use High-Quality Locks: Invest in a round discus lock with a short shackle to prevent bolt cutters from being used.
- Limit Key Access: Only you and trusted family members should have access to the key. Keep spares in a secure, hidden location.
- Secure Access Codes: Treat your access code like your bank PIN—never share it with others.
- Strategic Packing: Place your most valuable items at the back of the unit to deter “smash-and-grab” thefts.
- Daylight Visits: Try to access your unit during daylight hours for better visibility and safety.
Don’t Forget Insurance
Insurance is a vital aspect of self-storage. Many reputable facilities offer insurance options, but if they don’t, you’ll need to secure coverage through your homeowner’s policy or a third-party provider. Check to see if the facility requires proof of insurance before storing your items.
Questions to Ask the Facility
Before committing to a storage facility, ask the manager these important questions:
- What is your relationship with local law enforcement?
- How often do the police patrol or monitor the area?
A facility that collaborates with local authorities is more likely to take security seriously.
Big Box Storage: Security You Can Trust
At Big Box Storage, we’ve gone above and beyond to ensure your belongings are safe. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Video Surveillance: Cameras monitor both the interior and exterior of our facility.
- Motion Sensors: Detect and deter unauthorized movement.
- Perimeter Alarms: Secure the facility against break-ins.
- Exterior Barbed Wire Fencing: An additional layer of protection.
- On-Site Staff: Our team is present to monitor and assist, unlike some facilities that operate remotely.
We treat your belongings as if they were our own. If you’re looking for secure self-storage in San Diego, trust Big Box Storage to deliver the safety and peace of mind you deserve.
