Most storage facilities put a lot of effort into keeping their clients' possessions safe. But if you are storing something really valuable, either financially or emotionally, you can't settle for a facility with just good safety mechanisms in place. No, you want a facility where they go above and beyond in terms of safety. Here are some signs that a facility is doing just that.
1. Individual Access Codes
A locking gate that you have to enter an access code to open is a good start. Facilities that go above and beyond, however, will assign each client their own access code. When that client is no longer a client, that access code will be erased from the system. This helps prevent people who used to rent units from still being able to access the storage facility, which helps protect against theft.
2. "Bring Your Own Lock" Policies
A storage facility that prioritizes security will usually let clients bring their own locks and use them to secure their units. This way, you do not have to worry about someone else knowing the combination to a unit's lock because they used to rent that unit or work at the facility. You can bring a sturdy, bolt-cutter-proof lock with you to ensure your belongings are safe from anyone who happens to get past the gate.
3. Carefully Positioned Cameras
Just having cameras is nice, but you have to pay attention to where the cameras are positioned and what they are able to capture. You want the cameras to be angled so that they capture the area right in front of each storage unit. This way, if someone were to break in, they would definitely be on camera, and there would be direct evidence of their theft. Cameras positioned at the gate or driveway often don't give a detailed enough view.
4. On-Site Personnel
Some storage facilities are unmanned. You communicate with the management via phone and the internet only. Other storage facilities have on-site personnel. The latter is definitely the better option when it comes to security. Thieves are simply less likely to target a facility when there is an employee right there on-site.
If you find a facility with the safety protocols above in place, you can bet it is a really secure place to store your things. If you have any questions about safe storage units, ask a storage company like Acorn Self Service Storage.