Terri Ramsey Beavers 
Becoming a victim of burglary is not something that is on your list of New Year’s resolutions and it shouldn’t be either. It can be invasive to have your storage unit ransacked and broken into, but it can happen, especially if you do not take any steps to protect your valuables in your storage unit.
While the security of your storage unit is up to you, you want to choose a storage facility that is proactive about security as well and you want a facility that has measures in place to monitor the activities and people who come and go from the property.
Fortunately, storage unit break-ins are not as popular as they once were and there are many less reported these days, but it does not mean that you should take a backseat approach to it. Below, we will provide you with some ways that you can protect your storage unit and the items within it.
- Choose a Storage Facility That Is Secure
We spoke briefly above about how you should choose a facility that is proactive about security. This couldn’t be truer. The facility you rent from should, at minimum, have a gated entryway to the self-storage units and surveillance throughout the facility.
Some of the more advanced facilities have on-site managers who live on the premises, alarms, and other specialized surveillance equipment to monitor every activity that occurs on the property.
One of the best ways to determine how secure a facility is would be to take a tour of the premises and meet with the onsite staff. As you browse the facility, take notes of what concerns you and what you like about the facility. Do this for a few of them and then determine which option is best for you.
Another option is to check storage comparison websites such as Henfield because not only does it allow you to check store details such as security arrangement, but it also helps you find the nearest storage unit available in your desired location. UK residents, especially those living in Slough, are lucky because they can browse for all available storage in Slough on the Henfield website and request for a quote with convenience.
- Security Is YOUR Responsibility
If you view the safety and security of your unit as your responsibility, you can rest easy at night knowing that your items are protected. You should be proactive about your own security and take steps to protect your things. One of the first steps to take would be to purchase a lock for your door. They sell specialized locks that can secure your unit and keep it that way until you return.
Another option would be to install an alarm on your unit door. You may need to ask the facility for permission to do this, but an alarm that will sound when the door is opened without a passcode can help draw attention to the perpetrator and prevent a burglary.
As always, you do not want to give out your passcode to anyone else that you do not trust and you want to store your valuables inside additional protection within the unit. For example, use a safe within your storage unit for an extra layer of security.
There are other valuables that you may want to carry insurance for before you store them. For example, putting your wine in a climate controlled storage unit is safe but it may be a good idea to have an additional layer of protection with insurance.
Protecting Your Unit Should Be Priority
If you plan to store personal items that mean something to you, then you should spend time securing your unit and looking for a storage facility that is secure as well. The more proactive you are, the less likely someone will gain access to your unit.