Month: July 2014

Categories
Organization Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Part 2: Seasons – Preparing for Fall Storage

Is Your Self Storage Unit Ready for Fall?

Before you know it, summer will be over and the cool, crisp feeling of fall will be upon us. If you already store with us, now is the perfect time of year to get into your self storage unit and give it a check-up to make sure it is ready for fall. If you are planning to start using self storage this fall, it’s a great time of year to move things into storage with the cooler temps and lower humidity.

Here a few steps we recommend you take to ensure that your valuables are in good shape after surviving the hot summer months, and while in storage during the fall and winter months.

Give Your Storage Unit a Check-Up!

August is when the summer heat and humidity are at their peak in our area. If you used a drive-up storage unit all summer long, you really need to get in there and check that everything is in good shape – especially if you rarely visited. No matter what type of storage unit you have, be it drive-up, inside access or temperature controlled, this is an important step to take when the seasons change.

Everyone knows the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” That can be the case quite often when using storage. Come visit your unit and re-familiarize yourself with is contents. If you haven’t visited in a while, it’s easy to forget what you have tucked away in there. Now is the time to replace the container of Damp-Rid you placed in there during the spring. This will help keep the moisture levels inside your storage unit as low as possible and help prevent mold or mildew. If you simply gathered free boxes from the grocery store to pack away your stuff and they are falling apart now, you may need to purchase some new ones. Our retail store is fully stocked packing and moving supplies, including a variety of boxes that resist crushing, will stack nicely and are specially treated to help prevent mold and mildew.

Double check that you are using the recommended disc lock on your unit. Disc Locks have been created specifically for the storage industry and will provide your valuables the most protection and keep your mind at ease. Remember that your tenant insurance deductible is waived when you use a disc lock.

Is your door bulging, drooping or squeaking when you open and close it? This is very unlikely, but if you do notice anything of this nature, please stop in the office and notify the property manager. We can then have our maintenance team take a look and keep everything in tip-top shape.

Pack Away the Summer Gear

Patio FurnitureIf you store with us all year long, the fall months are the ideal time to pack away your patio furniture, pool accessories and summer gear in preparation for winter. You can also move your lawnmower and other yard equipment and tools into storage since you won’t be mowing the grass in November (well, let’s hope not!). Just remember that you need to drain the tanks of gas, oil and other flammable liquids before placing them into storage.

While you are packing away the summer gear, be sure to unpack the winter gear and take it with you. Make sure your sweatshirts and comfy jeans are pulled from storage and placed into rotation in your closet; and you move the tank tops, sandals and swimwear into storage. Don’t forget the snow-blower, shovels, ice melt, sleds and skis…everything you plan to use frequently during the cold and snowy months should either go with you or be moved close to the door so it is ready when you need it.

Get Your Student Ready for College

For parents of college students, self storage is a great option! You can pack away all of your student’s extra belongings so you can turn that bedroom into an office or an in-home gym like you always wanted while they are away. And, when they come home between semesters or for the summer, their belongings are just a quick storage trip away when they need something.

College Students on BikesYou can also find a self storage facility close to campus for your student. That way, they can keep the bulkier things they can’t live without (but just won’t fit in their dorm room) close at all times: a bicycle, kayak, extra school supplies, an extra hot plate or toaster and so on. Dorms, in general, are typically small bedrooms that are often shared amongst two or three students and have little to no space to store anything outside the essentials. You can rest assured knowing they have everything they need at their fingertips while far from home when using self storage.

Get Ready for the Holidays!

Feel free kick off the holiday season by pulling out your fall decorations! Make your residence a bit cozier by having those fall wreaths hanging from your front door and the cornucopia resting over your mantle.

Make sure the holiday lights, wrapping paper, Christmas tree and other decorations are moved closer to the door of your unit. That way you can easily swap out the fall décor for the winter stuff after Thanksgiving.

Put Away the ’57 Chevy

Antique AutoWe all know the invention of the automobile was legendary. For those of you who own a piece of history and treat it better than your children (well let’s hope not, but we all know that guy who won’t take the car out in the rain), fall is a great time to give your “baby” a tune-up and prep it for storage.

Our partner facility, Sierra’s Glen Self Storage, has drive up units that are the perfect solution to keep your car out of the elements, while at the same time granting you easy access to provide the necessary battery and tire pressure checks (or just a monthly visit to make sure she is hanging in there in the middle of January…you know who you are). You can learn more about storing titled property at our facility by reading one of our recent blogs.

Fall brings cooler weather, the return to school and the end of vacation season. Make sure both you and our self storage unit are ready for the season.

If you would like to get more information about fall storage, you can contact us at any time. Enjoy the rest of summer…it will be over before you know it!

Categories
Community Events Our Storage Facility

Partnering with Harrisburg Self Storage for Fundraisers and Events

Have you thought about partnering with Harrisburg Self Storage for your next fundraiser or event?

If you have never considered it before, maybe now is the time to explore the possibility.

As a locally owned business, we strive to make a difference in the communities we serve. Our employees live in these same communities and we care about supporting our local businesses and non-profits in every way we can. Becoming involved with local fundraisers, charities and businesses is one way we can show our support and connect with members of our communities to make a difference.

We are eager to strengthen our presence in the community, and coming together for events is one way we can work together to make a difference. We will gladly attend fundraising events, explore sponsorship opportunities (we currently sponsor Miss Glynis School of Dance), help charitable organizations with food and clothing drives at our facility (Volunteers of America), and can even host or co-host events at our facility as well.

Just like you, we want to see our local community succeed! From a school fundraiser to a food drive to a community celebration or a business event; partner with us today to achieve more success. We provide free advertising on our website and social media pages, and even write a blog about the event that you can post as well.

If you are looking for a great partnership at your next event or fundraiser, or just want to get more information on how we can work together, please contact our Director of Marketing, Jess Dubbs, at jdubbs@irellc.com or fill out the brief inquiry form on our contact us page. We wish you good luck and great success!

Categories
Organization Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Part 2 – Life Events when Self Storage is Beneficial – the Unexpected

In part one, we talked about the events you can plan for in life. However, there are a lot of things that happen in which we cannot prepare for ahead of time, at least not completely. Many of these events happen at a moment’s notice and suddenly you are faced with many important decisions that need to be made quickly. Self storage is a great resource to lean on during these tough times.

Here’s how storage can be beneficial when these (mostly) unexpected times rear their head:

Job RelocationJob Relocation.

You found out today that your position is moving to the corporate office in another state out west and you need to relocate in a couple months if you want to keep your job. You know you’ll be living in an apartment until you can find a new home to purchase. Rather than moving everything with you initially, you can move your unnecessary belongings into storage for safe-keeping. Once you are all settled in the new home, you can pack up your storage unit and make the trek with everything in tow. We also provide you with tips on how to move to keep you organized and ensure you don’t forget anything.

Divorce or Break-up.

No one plans to break-up or get a divorce when they start a relationship. But it’s a fact that many relationships end this way. When this happens, you are suddenly faced with a change in living arrangements. One or both of you will be moving out of your apartment or home, and possibly even selling your home. After the decision is made to end a relationship, having a self storage unit is a quick and easy way to move your things from your home into a safe place until you figure out the next steps. We can help you with tips on how to pack, how to move and even how to store your belongings – giving you one less thing to worry about during this difficult time in your life.

FuneralDeath of a loved one.

The untimely passing of a loved one is something that happens to all of us. Let’s face it, most of the time we haven’t planned for it because it is unexpected. All of the sudden you have all the items from their estate and nowhere to store them until the estate can be settled. This is especially true if your loved one rented or was in a retirement or nursing home. Using self storage is an affordable option that is available quickly. Moving their belongings to a storage unit will keep everything safe until all the other immediate needs are taken care of first. Then you won’t have to worry about it until you are ready.

Military Service.

You are called to active duty and you have no idea how long you will be deployed. Suddenly you have an apartment or house full of stuff and you need to get it out quickly before you leave. You probably have at least one vehicle that will be sitting around while you are away as well. Using storage for your belongings while you’re away is smart. You can choose a parking space for your vehicle or even a large drive up unit to use like a garage. There is no long-term commitment so you can store only as long as you need – which is perfect if you aren’t sure how long you will be deployed or if your deployment changes suddenly. We have the convenience of online payments and we also offer automatic payments so you can set them up and forget about them. Both perfect for a military member who is overseas.

Tragic Event – Flood or Fire.

There aren’t many things more devastating than a flood or fire at your home. You could have just a small flooding issue when your sump pump breaks suddenly and only your basement is affected or you caught the kitchen on fire in a cooking accident (it was the stove’s fault, I swear). But there are also those times when you could have a whole-home tragedy from a major flood or massive fire. One moment everything is just fine, and the next moment your life is in pieces. We see these stories on the news all the time and think that it can’t happen to me.

In either case, storage can be a real asset as you begin the process of cleaning up the mess and salvaging what you can. You can bring everything to your storage unit and sort through it to see what you can save in a clean, safe and protected environment, out of the weather and in privacy. You can also use your storage unit to keep all the donated items your community has pulled together to help you and any new items you purchase until you get set up in a new home or your home is repaired or rebuilt.

Mold in Your Home.

Mold issues in your home or basement can be a health issue for you. They need to be handled quickly to prevent long-term negative effects. While the restoration company is removing the mold and repairing your home, you can house your items in a self storage unit.

Accidental Damage to Your Home.

A severe thunderstorm comes raging through and knocks a tree down, and it fell onto your home instead of in the yard. The damage is extensive, but at least no one was home when it happened. Your roof has major damage, some windows are broken and your bedroom is not safe to sleep in until everything is repaired.

Or, you live near a busy intersection where accidents are common. Unfortunately this time a car managed to run right through your fence and into your living room. Luckily no one was hurt, but your house needs some major repair work completed.

In both instances, you can move everything into a storage unit while the repairs are being made. There are a lot of things that can happen accidentally to your home, and most of us are lucky enough to avoid them throughout our lives. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones, having a storage unit can be a real benefit.

The unexpected things in life can really throw you a curve ball. Let us help you by providing a safe and secure storage unit to house your personal belongings during your time of need. Our property manager is very friendly and knowledgeable, and is here to help. You can contact us at any time with questions or concerns about using self storage.