General Information
Packing tips
Make packing for storage easier on yourself by planning ahead. Start by listing all items you’re going to store, and their approximate sizes. Also gather up plenty of sturdy corrugated cartons, packing paper, bubble wrap, sealing tape and marker pens, along with any furniture covers or shelving you intend to use in your storage unit.
Pack as much as you can in uniform-size boxes. Fill them tightly but take care to neither overpack nor under pack. (Bulging cartons tip when stacked, while half-full boxes tend to collapse.) Use wadded up newsprint, bubble wrap, rags, towels or blankets to fill in empty spaces. For maximum protection, seal cartons with tape.
Pack heavy items, such as books and tools, in small boxes. For easier handling, limit the weight of all cartons (regardless of size), to 30 lbs. or less.
Label all cartons so you know their contents and keep a list (as well as pictures and descriptions) at your home or office for reference. Mark clearly all boxes containing fragile items.
Pack books flat to protect their spines. Line cartons with plastic and fill empty spaces with packing paper.
Use bureau drawers to store small, fragile items. Clothing and towels make excellent packing material.
Protect chair legs by wrapping them in packing paper. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic chair covers.
Hang clothing and draperies in wardrobe boxes. Add moth balls or cedar chips for extra protection.
Use lots of paper to pack dishes and glassware. Place a layer of packing paper inside the bottom and top of cartons. Wrap each dish and glass separately and cushion them with crumpled paper. Plates are best stacked on edge.
Pack lamps and lamp shades in individual boxes, using plenty of clean paper or clothing for padding.
Pad mirrors and paintings with paper and place them in special mirror packs or large boxes. Mark boxes “Fragile”. Never store mirrors or paintings flat. Always place them on edge.
Remove the legs from larger tables to conserve storage space. Tie and pad extra leaves together. Store table tops on edge and pad with paper or blankets.
Vehicle storage
Storing your car is a good way to protect it from the elements. Taking some measures can help your car stay in optimum condition.
Fill up the tank and the tires. Filling up the tank can prevent rust.
Add a corrosion inhibitor fuel stabilizer to help avoid internal tank damage.
Get an oil change and have the fluids topped off. Used oil has materials that can be harmful to the engine if its left in the car for an extended period.
Car wash and waxing. Washing and waxing will protect against dust, debris, and any other material that can cause any issues to the exterior.
Clean the interior. Dusting, vacuuming, as well as cleaning the interior of the windows will help keep particles away.
Disconnect the battery and don’t use the parking brake. Try using wheel chocks since using the parking brake for too long can fuse it with the inside of the wheel.
Animal proof your car. Keep your vehicle covered and block small entrances to the vehicle engine compartment.
Business Storage
There are some ways businesses can use storage to relieve themselves from a tight working place.
Store files, records and paperwork. Documents, paperwork, etc., can pile up fast so storage can do wonders to relieve space.
Store additional equipment. Dealers, constructors, landscapers, carpenters, plumbers, mechanics and all business owners can take advantage of the extra space and store machinery or other things that can take a huge amount of space.
Expand a home office. Keep your work separate from your personal life.
Management of overflow of retail. For stores that have seasonal items this could be a nice way to stock items away and get them when needed.
Keep Costs Down. Convenient month-to-month leasing. Great for startup companies that are still in the process of finding the perfect location for their storefront.
Temporary storage. If you’re remodeling your business, moving offices, decorating or staging, Danbury Self Storage is a safe and secure place to temporarily store your items.
Storage tips
Use a good quality lock on your locker door. Inexpensive locks rust. Insure your goods while in storage. Ask the manager about self storage insurance at reasonable rates.
Clean and dry appliances thoroughly before storing. Secure all movable parts with paper or wedge and wrap a paper pad around each item for protection. During transport, tape all doors shut; but remember to wedge them open for storage.
Tape or tie bed rails together. Mark the pieces for easier assembly later. Place covers or plastic bags on mattresses to keep them clean during storage.
Leave a few inches of space between your items and the wall for better ventilation. Do not lean anything against the wall.
Stand sofas and mattresses on end and protect them with specially designed covers. Don’t place heavy or sharp objects on top of upholstered furniture.
Pack stereos, cameras and other high value items in unmarked boxes toward the rear of the storage space.
Store lightweight small items around the back of the locker. Move large, heavy items into storage last. Remember to leave a walkway too so you can get to the rear of the unit.
Save money by renting the smallest amount of space you need and packing the unit full. Cover the floor with a plastic tarp before moving in your belongings. Use pallets or shelving as a foundation for cartons and furniture, as well as shelving wherever possible.
Stack boxes shoulder-high to maximize your total locker space.
Do not place book boxes directly on the floor.
Place items you use frequently (or may need to use soon) near the storage room door.
Insurance
Protecting your goods in storage is your responsibility. Make sure you’re protected.
Many homeowner/renter policies provide only limited coverage for possessions stored away from the insured location. You should contact your insurance agent or carrier for more specific details on your coverage.
If your belongings are worth storing, they are worth protecting. While Danbury Self Storage takes precautions to provide a safe and secure storage environment, we are not responsible for damage or loss to your stored belongings. For that reason, we offer you Safestor®, a low-cost storage insurance designed specifically for your belongings while stored at the Danbury Self Storage facility.
Why would I get Safestor® insurance?
Unforeseen and unexpected losses can happen as the result of natural disasters, weather, fire, and other events beyond anyone’s control. Insuring your stored goods for such losses is your responsibility. Your self-storage facility is not responsible and does not insure your stored possessions.
For that reason, Safestor® offers an inexpensive, optional protection plan tailor made to safeguard your stored goods.
- Only $100 Deductible
- Coverage from $1,000 to $20,000
- Largest claims network in the industry
- File claims right from your smartphone or tablet
Safestor® is low cost storage insurance that covers loss or damage for your stored goods from major perils pictured below:
