Brandon Michael

Storing Documents in a Self Storage Unit

When putting important documents into storage, extra care should be taken to keep them in the best condition possible while in storage. Here are some commonly overlooked yet important tips for storing important documents to keep them in good condition until you are ready to take them back out of storage.

10 Tips for Storing Important Documents

When it comes to storing your important documents, you want to lock them away somewhere safe, knowing they are in good hands at a closely monitored facility. A self storage unit can be the perfect place for just that, with a state of the art surveillance system in place ensuring the security of the premises at all times. When storing important, private, or sensitive documents, every possible precaution should be taken to ensure their safety and security. Here is a list of safety measures and guidelines to follow to guarantee your important documents safekeeping while they are in storage:

1.     Organize all boxes by date and label them accordingly

2.     Store the oldest or least frequently accessed files along the back of the storage unit and the most recent or more readily accessed towards the front

3.     Stack file boxes along side walls leaving a space to walk in the middle of the unit if possible.

4.     Prior to storage, make copies or backups of all important files and store at a different geographical location as a safety precaution.

5.     When packing, separate files by sturdy pieces of cardboard or stiff binders that will prevent important documents from bending or folding.

6.     Boxes containing documents should be raised off of the ground by something like a wooden pallet or rack to protect against water damage or pest infestation.

7.     Cover all boxes with a cotton sheet or tarp to prevent dust from settling on the boxes.

8.     Depending on the nature of the documents being stored, you may want to use locked filing boxes and cabinets for added security for sensitive information.

9.     When filling boxes, never use newspaper as packing filler especially for paper documents as the newsprint will transfer. Most facilities offering self storage in San Diego will have an onsite packing center with packing filler that will not damage your documents.

10.  Making a password protected digital copy of important information before putting it into storage is a good idea. A CD or DVD can be stored in a safe in another location as a backup should anything happen to your paper copies.

Article Tags: Self Storage Unit, Self Storage, Storage Unit

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