If you have had a paper shredder for a long time
or are just starting to think about getting one, there are a few things
you can do to get the most out of your device and keep your identity
secure. Here are five tips every paper shredder owner can use.
If you've had a paper shredder for a long
time or are just starting to think about getting one, there are a few
things you can do to get the most out of your device and keep your
identity secure. Here are five tips every paper shredder owner can use.
When it doubt, shred it. The main reason
people use paper shredders it to protect themselves from identity
theft. It's become way too easy for criminals to swipe your name,
birthdate, Social Security number, etc. Shredding junk mail, ATM
receipts, and so on can protect you. And if you're wondering whether
you can just toss it, shred it instead. You're better off safe than
sorry.
Take advantage of all of its features.
Did you know that even small, personal shredders can often destroy
items like credit cards? There are even some devices that can take care
of items like CD's and floppy disks. If you machine can shred these
kinds of items, make sure you take advantage of it. People can get
personal information from electronic media in addition to paper, so
keep yourself safe.
Don't try to shred too much at once.
Each paper shredder can shred a certain amount of sheets at a time
whether it's just a few or dozens. Although it's probably very tempting
to try to shred more than you should (especially if you're in a hurry),
resist the temptation. Going over the device's shredding capacity can
cause a lot of problems including paper jams. You could even damage the
motor which can lead to expensive repairs. (Or even the need to replace
the machine.)
Oil your device regularly.
Shredders don't require much maintenance but there is one thing you
should do on a regular basis: oil it. This helps keep things running
slowly and it prevents paper dust from building up on the unit's gears.
Oiling the device is pretty easy - all you really need to do is dampen
a sheet of paper with oil and then shred it. (Make sure you run a dry
sheet through the unit next to soak up any extra oil.) How often you do
this depends on the machine you have and how often you use it. Your
instruction manual should give you some idea of when to do it.
Unplug the device when you're not using it - and hide it away.
A lot of shredders have safety features that can prevent unauthorized
use as well as keep people safe from injury. Despite this, it never
hurts to unplug the device when you're not using it and keep it in a
safe place. This is especially true if you live with kids or pets.
Using a paper shredder is easy and if you follow the tips
outlined above, you're going to get the most out of your device while
keeping it in good condition and protecting your identity. (And your
kids' and pets' safety, if that applies.) Try out these tips the next
time you use your shredder.
Jeff McRitchie is the Director of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, review and blog posts on topics related
to book binding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment.
More than 2,500 of his articles have been published in thousands of
location on the Internet. If you're looking for information about paper shredders, his articles are a great place to start.
