Storage Rental Security
Regardless of the type of self-storage rental you select, you should be mindful of how secure your contents are going to be. If you believe your personal items are worth keeping and paying a monthly fee to store them, making sure they are safe and protected should be an important issue for you to consider. Sadly, self storage is a common target of theft and vandalism, so doing your homework regarding the security of your contents is vital.
As to security, the first line of defense is choosing the right kind of lock. The two most common types of locks are combination locks and padlocks. Each type of lock offers certain benefits that are worth investigating, but you also need to consider with combination locks, you need to remember the combination and, with padlocks, you need to keep track of the key that opens the lock.
As to the padlock, there is a type often called the “hockey puck” design. The locking system of the lock is encased in a covering that looks similar to a hockey puck. The hockey puck design comes with a key, but from a resistance to tampering – such as a torch or cutter – this design offers a better strength of security.
Other questions to consider regarding deciding on the level of investment you need to make in the lock.
Investment Value of the Stored Contents
If the contents you are seeking to store carry a high investment value – how much money you spent on the contents – such as classic cars, boats, antique furniture, etc., then you should look into purchasing a more durable lock. Value isn’t just measured in dollars – personal keepsakes from yours or your children’s childhood can be priceless, so, again, these items need the best possible lock that will minimize tampering and security failure.
External Storage
Your choice of where your contents will be stored is another consideration when choosing the quality of lock. If you’re going to store the contents outdoors such as an RV storage park or something similar, then you need to keep in mind the potential impact the weather conditions will have on the lock. Extreme temperatures, high levels of humidity, or an abundance of rain can over the long-term breakdown the integrity of the lock. Stainless steel locks typically withstand environmental elements than other materials.
Lock Inspection
While lock designs vary, one of the central parts of the lock is the clasp – the device that actually connects the storage rental device to the locking system on the lock. If the clasp is faulty in any way – such as a gap or crack – then the chance of breakdown is significantly increased. Periodic inspection of the clasp is always a good policy to keep to best ensuring the lock is working properly.
What about the locking system?
In the case of portable storage containers, many rental companies offer various types of locking systems to help with the security of your contents. When deciding to choose which locking system makes the most sense for you, understanding the ease of access to the place where the lock is ultimately going to be place is critical. Ideally, there should be some kind of strong metal box providing coverage and protection from outside elements and visibility to where the lock is located. However, you don’t want the access to the place where you’re going to place the lock to be so difficult that you can’t comfortable lock and un-lock the lock. With these types of locking systems, the padlock – including the hockey puck lock – is a better choice as your ability to see a combination lock is severely limited.