When you go to store your items at one of our Stop and Store facilities, you may want to consider investing in a good lock to provide extra peace of mind. There are several options out there on the market, so make sure you’re familiar with them all before deciding which one to buy to best protect your belongings.
As a starter, there are certain locks which you should probably avoid altogether. While you may still have that combination lock lying around from your college days, they are best kept to gym locker duty. Though they are handy if you are prone to losing small keys, there is always the chance that you will forget or misplace the numbered code. Be advised that they are relatively easy to cut compared to other locks as well. Also, stay away from anything you can purchase at a dollar store. If it can be bought for a dollar, it can likely be broken for the same price as well.
Padlocks and weather-proof locks offer a more robust defense against pickers and cutters than do combination locks. They require a key to open, and can also come in larger, more heavy-duty offerings. Weather-proof locks especially are a good choice for outdoor storage solutions, as the different metals in its construction safeguard it well against the dangers of rust and oxidation, something which can also weaken the structural integrity of the lock over time and make it more vulnerable to cutting.
Among the most common offerings, disc locks offer the strongest and most secure construction. Though they are not impervious to cutting, their circular and compact shape ensure that they are the most difficult to cut, making them the best choice for your storage solutions.
At Storage Harrisburg, we offer locks to buy!
Tip 3:
This is probably the biggest sale month of the year. The holidays are over and retailers want to clear out! This is a great month to buy televisions and treadmills, as well as other exercise equipment and big ticket items. Holiday decorations are at unbeatable prices as well. Get that brand new Christmas tree now, and simply toss (or donate) the old one when you take it down.
We all know those April showers bring May flowers. But did you know they also bring spectacular deals on rain coats? Our rainy season is so short that retailers want to move these items off their shelves quickly.
What a great time to purchase a range, dishwasher, washer or dryer! Even window air conditioners can be a steal as the hot, sultry days come to an end. Purchasing these items when they go on sale will save you tons of money, and get you prepared now for when you actually need them. It’s also a great time to buy yourself a new bicycle for next year, or get one for your kids for the upcoming holiday.
There are sales and deals-a-plenty, so stock up on anything you didn’t pick up earlier in the year. Entertaining items like table cloths, decorations and wrapping paper have some good deals, so grab them and get ready for your Holiday party.
We also understand that some of our customers may have limited time available when visiting the office – such as during your lunch break for example. We will make every effort to accommodate that need if you simply stop in to the rental office. But please keep in mind that the lunch hour can be a busy time in our offices. Many customers stop in to make payments and purchase retail items. So in circumstances such as these, it is best to contact the rental office and schedule a time to meet with the property manager. This will ensure we are ready and prepared for your arrival and can get you on your way in a timely fashion.
Create a file (or big envelope) for any moving related receipts or paperwork that may be tax deductible. And, put everything in there that you use for the big move – that means boxes, moving services and even the pizza for your helpers. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to write a lot of that stuff off – check with your tax person or accountant for more details after you are settled into the new home.
Stock up on moving supplies. That means everything from boxes, tape, labels, markers, bubble wrap, sanity…OK, the last one I am just kidding about. But the better prepared you are now the more sanity you will have on moving day, so stock up!
If you have a long drive ahead of you, consider having your cars serviced now. You really don’t want any of the vehicles being used for the move to break down when you are in a caravan of two trucks and four cars on the major interstate. That will delay everyone and can raise the stress level a lot. Not to mention the added cost of towing or repair that could have been dealt with ahead of time.
Back up important files and disassemble your computer. You have probably heard, “Have a back up of your back up.” Take this to heart, especially if your computer holds all your precious photos and important tax and business files. Take one set of the backup drives or discs outside of your home. You don’t want to have your computer and both sets of backups in the same place…that sort of defeats the purpose. See if you can keep your backups at your friend’s place or in your safety deposit box. Better safe than sorry on this one.
Before anything gets moved into your new home, do a quick walk-through. Make sure nothing was left behind from the previous owners. If you find anything out of sorts, like damage that wasn’t there before, take photos and notate it in your notebook. Turn on the A/C or furnace, plug in the fridge and turn on lights so the movers can see where they are going.
And finally? Pour yourself an iced tea (or a glass of wine) and head out to the patio to enjoy that sunset. You’ve earned it!
Self storage insurance will cover a multitude of things, such as fire and smoke damage, roof leaks, burglary and theft, rodent and insect infestation, natural disasters and even in transit coverage within a 100-mile radius of your storage unit. When you select one of our third-party insurance options, the manager will provide you with contact information so you can speak with an insurance agent to get answers to any question you could possibly ask.
Bring a pad and pen, as well as your phone or camera. Take photos of the unit, make notes of how many storage totes or boxes are already present, how many large pieces of furniture are in the unit, as well as things that may not fit in boxes (bikes, skis, etc.). Now is also a good time to make note of the things you know are in the unit somewhere that you will absolutely need or want access to in the coming months. If it’s October, you’ll probably want to make note that your holiday decorations are in the unit. If it’s May, you’ll want to note that your beach and camping supplies are needed.
No great warrior ever went into combat untrained or unprepared. So go home with your notes and photos and really look them over. Start thinking in your head about what things may go together, what things you really want to keep, and what things you could probably get rid of. Think about how much of the unit is trash and get a bunch of trash bags together. Think about approximately how many packing supplies you will need to replace damaged boxes or to put away unboxed items. Purchase the minimum amount of boxes and totes for your estimated needs (if you purchased plastic totes, keep the receipt in case you have some leftover to return). You can purchase boxes of all sizes at our retail store located inside the rental office, along with many other 
Every time a pile looks like it’s getting too big, wrap (if necessary) your items and put them in a box or tote, then label it, mark the contents in your master inventory sheet and set it aside. Assign a color to each category and try not to go over the number of boxes allotted in each color group. Continue sorting, boxing and labeling until everything has a home in a box or pile.
Sit down with your inventory sheet and your gridded map of your unit. Mark where the door to the unit is located and consult your list. You will want to sort each group of boxes into need-based categories (A-B-C) with “A” being needed regularly, “B” being needed seasonally, and “C” not being needed in the near future. Using your “Tetris” brain and a pencil, mark out the home of each category and piece of furniture in your unit so that the “A” items are closest to the door on one side, the “B” items are closest to the door on the other side, and the “C” items are at the back of the unit.
