It can be quite exciting to think about the long trip you’re going to have. Unfortunately, you also have to think about what you should do with all your stuff while you’re away.
In such a situation, it makes more sense to keep all your belongings in a long-term storage facility. This way you can ensure that your items are safe even if you’re gone for a longer period of time.
But before you throw all your stuff into the unit and fly off, here are some important storage tips to follow.

1. Determine how many items you need to store.

First, consider your needs for long-term storage. Do you need a small unit or a big one to store all your belongings to avoid paying off rent for your apartment (which you may need to quit for the time being)? Storage units do come in all sizes to fit your needs.

Get in touch with self storage companies and consult with them to find the right storage size that’ll fit in all your belongings.

2. Make sure you’ve packed your items properly.

The right packaging will help secure your belongings inside the storage unit. Don’t pack in haste; especially take your time in packing valuables and fragile items. Take note that improperly packing your items can result to preventable damages.
Below are some quick storage packing tips that will help secure your items:
Refrain from using newspapers. When you use a newspaper to wrap around your valuable items, it can cause stains. A crumpled newspaper causes the ink to stick which will damage your items.
Use packing foam. This will help ensure that there’s a small chance of damage even if the box is accidentally dropped or hits something hard.
Use adhesive tape. For all your items that have doors, use an adhesive tape to keep them shut while you move the boxes around. This will help prevent the doors from damaging other items inside the box.
Use bubble wrap as an alternative to newspapers. The bubble wrap design gives the necessary cushion to fragile items. You can use bubble wrap for delicate things like glasses, plates and figurines.
Make sure all appliances are clean and dry. If you don’t want to come back to a unit that smells awful, see to it that you clean your appliances before storing them. It’s not a good idea to come home and expect to use them right away, only to open them up full of bacteria and grime.

3. Choose the best storage facility that fits your needs.

If you have items which are sensitive to temperature, place them in a climate-controlled storage unit. This will give you a peace of mind knowing that your valuables won’t be subjected to extreme temperatures.
Remember to consider the following before deciding on a storage facility.

• Make a list of potential storage facilities. Contact storage companies and ask for details about what they offer. Compare their prices and, if possible, ask if you can see the storage unit prior to booking.
• Inspect storage conditions. It’s also important to consider the location of your storage unit. Make sure you have easy access to it. This will save you from hassle during the loading and unloading process. Find a facility which has climate-controlled options, and units that are well-maintained and safe.
• Check for security measures. Make it a top priority to choose a storage unit with excellent security. You wouldn’t want your valuables to go missing when you go back to get them. Upon arriving at the facility, check for security cameras and ask about what safety measures they have.
• Read customer reviews. Before you book a storage unit, read some customer reviews. This will give you an idea of the quality of their service and help you avoid ending up with a bad storage facility. Also, check if your storage provider has a license to operate.
• Check for storage insurance. A storage unit with insurance adds another layer of security to your belongings. Ask your storage provider if they offer additional insurance for your unit. Make sure that the insurance policy also covers those items you store within a long-term or off-site unit (whichever you plan to avail of).

4. Let someone check your items from time to time.

Appoint someone you trust to check and visit your storage unit for you. If the need arises and you have to get something from your storage unit, you can let this person ship an item to your location. He or she should be able to respond quickly whenever there are problems regarding your storage facility.

5. Don’t forget to set up auto-pay.

When you’re away, it’s hard to keep up with your storage bills. If you don’t have someone who can pay on your behalf, you can set up your account on auto-debit payment. This way, it’ll automatically deduct the storage bill from your bank account periodically.
If your bank offers online transactions, you can also pay your storage bill via the Internet. Since you no longer have to worry about paying personally for anything, you’ll have one less thing to think about while you’re away for a long trip.So, before going on a long journey, make sure to follow the storage tips above to keep your valuables safe. After all, it’s nice to go on a trip or stay abroad when you have nothing to worry about.