Some storage units are a necessity of small homes or working areas. If your home or office is too small and there isn't enough space in closets, attics, or basements, you need to prepare your belongings for safekeeping in a place where you won't have hourly contact for maintenance. With electronics that you need to pull from storage on a regular basis, you need a way to keep everything safe while your gone while avoiding an avalanche of boxes every time you need to grab something. To maintain good order for both long-term storage and quick-access retrieval, keep a few self storage planning points in mind.

Cool Facilities Make A Difference

The easiest way to keep your electronics--or any belongings--clean and safe at a basic level is to go to a facility with air conditioning. Don't let modern convenience fool you; not all storage facilities have air conditioning, even if the business office and hallways seem properly cooled.

An air conditioned storage unit has a few things working for it. The temperature control prevents heat damage that can happen during the average summers in the United States, and a byproduct of that control is reduced humidity.

Humidity control is important because electronic components can corrode or rust when exposed to moisture, and extended humidity exposure while stationary--as in without internal fans or other air movement to move water molecules around--can result in a broken, corroded mess when you pick out a piece of electronics after months of not checking.

The air conditioning is good for you because lifting objects is no small task. Depending on how many electronics you plan on storing, how heavy or awkwardly-shaped they are, and how far you need to move the electronics, you may be in for a fatigued and sweaty trial as you take things out. Treat yourself to air conditioning, and ask for some moving equipment if you don't have equipment already.

Clean, Stackable Packaging

In the event that air conditioning fails or adverse weather somehow gets into the storage facility, a few plastic containers can keep your belongings protected while giving you automatic organization. Put a label on each box showing what's inside, and try to use stackable boxes with grooves that keep each box section in place.

Don't just store computers and other electronics on the floor or on shelves. If the electronics can fit in a box, put them in a box and label everything as efficiently as possible. Some objects may be too big for boxes, and should be placed separately in an area that is easy to access.

If possible, use a system of sliding doors and keep the heaviest objects near the bottom. Drawers can be dangerous if you pull them too far out with objects that weigh 20 or more pounds, so try to use containers that have a locking mechanism to stop over-extending.

Contact a self storage facility to discuss containers that seem to be the most helpful for different types of customers, and be sure to do a walk-through of the facility to observe the quality.