Why You Don’t Stash Fireworks in Your Self Storage Unit

After a dismal and taxing 2020, Independence Day 2021 is going to be a momentous celebration for the USA!  Parades, picnics, and all kinds of special events will be in full force. It’s a given that people will be making memories and commemorating the joy of America’s freedoms with fireworks and sparklers. While you’re enjoying the festivities, please take safety precautions – not only with using but with storing your fireworks.

 

Family watching fireworks on 4th of July.

 

Please Don’t Store Your Fireworks in Your Storage Unit

When it’s time to pack up and store the patriotic decorations, sparklers, and fireworks for next year, be cautious. Please don’t stash your extra fireworks in your self storage unit. 

For starters, it’s against policy to store fireworks or any other type of explosive at most self storage facilities. The possibility of an explosion is too risky, not only to your personal valuables but to the possessions of other tenants. It also creates a serious hazard to any of the staff or visitors to the facility. It’s not worth risking serious injury or damage by storing fireworks or any other flammable materials in your unit.

If you’re curious, here is a complete list of items that you are not permitted to put in self storage:

  • Plants
  • Firearms and munitions
  • Food and pet food
  • Flammables, explosives, radioactive materials
  • Lead paint, asbestos, urea-formaldehyde, petroleum products, or methane
  • Medical waste
  • Stolen goods
  • Cash (not covered by insurance)

Your fireworks are considered explosives. If you have leftover fireworks that you need to store, check the following tips.

 

Tips for Storing Fireworks

These tips are not guaranteed, but they can help keep you and your family safe.

 

Tip 1: Depending on where you live, it may not be legal to store fireworks. You should check your city or county ordinances to verify that storing leftover fireworks is permitted.

Tip 2: High temperatures do not set fireworks off. It’s okay to store them in a hot, dry environment; it’s only the heat from a match or lighter that sets them off.

Tip 3: Keep those unused fireworks in a secure place away from your home and family. The best place is a locked shed that is far away from the house. And, don’t store them near ignitable, flammable materials like oil, gasoline, water heaters, or any kind of naked flames.

Tip 4: Don’t store them in cardboard boxes. Not only will these add fuel to the fire if there is a catastrophe, but cardboard will not protect fireworks from water. The best solution is a metal storage container. Be careful not to overpack the box and crush the lower layers, ruining the fireworks for later use. 

Tip 5: Do not tell your children where the fireworks are stored, and be sure that pets can’t get at them.

Tip 6: Keep a fire extinguisher near the fireworks storage area.

Tip 7: If fireworks get wet, they should be completely soaked and discarded. Fireworks cannot be dried out and used safely because they become unstable.

Tip 8: When fireworks have been stored in a manner that keeps them dry, the chemicals do not deteriorate or become unstable or dangerous. If no moisture gets into the packaging, fireworks can last 50 years and perform as if they were new. 

 

The main thing to remember is the safety of you and your family. Follow the above tips, and you shouldn’t have any problems.

 

Fun Fourth of July Facts

Now that we have the serious stuff out of the way, here is a bit of fourth of July trivia from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

 

  • July 4, 1776: Thomas Jefferson noted in his “Weather Memorandum Book” that the weather was cloudy, the temperature 76ºF.
  • August 2, 1776:  Most people signed the Declaration of Independence. Only two men signed on July 4, 1776—John Hancock and Charles Thompson. 
  • July 4, 1826: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson—signers of the Declaration of Independence who each later became president—died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration.
  • July 4, 1884: The Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the United States by the people of France.
  • July 4, 1911: It was a hot Fourth of July in New England. All-time state records were set in Nashua, New Hampshire (106°F), and Vernon, Vermont (105°F).
  • July 4, 1938: Four of July became a national holiday.

 

Have a joyful holiday, complete with fun times and treasured memories. But, be careful with those fireworks!

 

How To Prepare Your Boat for Both Summer and Winter Self Storage

Boating is the ultimate recreation for people who love the water and water sports. It’s fun, relaxing and an enjoyable family activity. However, boat maintenance and self storage takes time and energy. One of the biggest problems for boat owners, is properly storing their boat. Winter storage is critical for those living in a climate where temperatures fall below freezing.

On the other hand, storing a boat during the summer months can be important even if you’re using it only on weekends and holidays. Your boat can be permanently ruined if it’s stored improperly. Storing a boat correctly is not only necessary in the winter, but also during the summer.

Boat Storage Prep

Here are some tips to help you get your boat prepared for storage. Some extra work now will have your boat in pristine condition and waiting for you when your ready to enjoy the water.

Uncovered boat next to boat covered with tarp.

Get Your Boat Ready for Summer Self Storage

If you use your boat only sporadically during the summer, it should be stored properly when not in use. To keep your boat in the best condition and prevent mold and mildew, consider climate-controlled storage. You don’t want to incur damage or deterioration due to  high temperatures or humidity.

Here are some steps to consider for summer storage:

  • Keep the Trailer in Good Shape

The tires should be properly inflated, and check that the safety lights and wires are in good working condition.

  • Clean the Hull and Deck

Even though you’re not storing your boat for an entire season, you want it clean and free of trash and debris when you’re ready to use it again. Wash off the outside of the boat with a garden hose or sprayer.

  • Do a Quick Check for Damage

Check for any damage on the hull and motor. A small problem now that may lead to a large repair bill later can be corrected.

  • Be Sure Your Gear is Properly Stowed

All of your gear should be in good condition and correctly stored. Life jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits and flares should be checked for expiration dates and, if necessary, replaced.

  • Cover Your Boat

High temperatures and humidity are hard on a boat. When storing your boat during the summer, use a tough, plastic woven shade cover that will inhibit mold, rust, and fading.

 

Get Your Boat Ready for Winter Storage

It can be very costly to store your boat at the marina for the winter months or when you’re unable to use it for an extended period of time. Trying to store it at home is inconvenient and can be a security risk. It takes up space in your driveway or elsewhere on your property and is exposed to theft and vandalism.

A better solution would be to store your boat in a conventional storage unit that has sufficient space for your boat and trailer, or a secure outdoor parking area. Your jet skis, kayaks, and canoes can be stored right along with your boat. Storing with us is far less hassle for you and a safe, secure option for all your watercraft.

Follow these tips for safe winter storage:

  • Clean the Hull and Deck

You’ll be storing your boat for an entire season. You want it clean and free of last

summer’s trash when you’re ready to put it in the water next summer.

  • Add a Fuel Stabilizer and Fill the Tank

Condensation can form in an empty gas tank, causing corrosion or worse if the moisture

freezes. Fuel stabilizer will prevent this from happening and your fuel will be ready to go

when you are.

  • Change the Oil

Water or acids that have gotten into your oil can corrode the engine. Change the filter

and flush it out so that no water remains. Then, add new oil.

  • Refresh the Coolant System

Drain the current coolant, flush with water, and fill with fresh antifreeze. Make sure

you’ve diluted the antifreeze to specification. This will protect your engine from freezing

and corrosion.

  • Disconnect the Battery

Don’t allow your battery to drain over the winter. Disconnect it and top it off with

distilled water. Charge it periodically to make sure it’s ready to go when you hook it

back up to your boat.

  • Grease the Steering Mechanism

Grease the steering and control mechanisms so that they will be moving smoothly when

it’s time to take the boat out again.

  • Remove the Drive Belts

Before storing your boat, loosen or remove the drive belts. They may crack under the

stress of being kept under tension for long periods of time.

  • Maintain the Interior of Your Boat

If you have electronics in your boat, they are vulnerable to extreme cold and moisture.

Remove them prior to storage. Leather, canvas, and any other organic fabrics should be

removed to prevent mold and mildew. Empty the water tanks and run antifreeze through

the pipes.

  • Wash and Wax the Exterior

Cover the body of your boat with wax. This will prevent rust from corroding your boat’s

exterior and is particularly important if you are storing your boat outside.

  • Use A Cover

A cover is not merely an accessory, it is a necessity. A cover can be a significant investment, but it will protect your

boat from moisture, mold, fading, cracking and animals as well as being a theft deterrent.   

 

Here at Trusted Self Storage we can offer you a convenient, affordable, and secure facility to not only store, but protect your watercraft.  Any one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to discuss your boat storage options.

 

Self Storage: How to Enjoy Packing Up the Christmas Decorations

Does the title of this blog trigger your interest? Are you eagerly awaiting the happy little secret to enjoying packing up those Christmas decorations? Sorry…I lied. There is nothing that makes this job enjoyable unless you can gather about 50 friends who love you and want to help. The chances of that happening are about the same as your Christmas mess becoming a Netflix episode of “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.” 

Nobody enjoys this task. It’s tedious and lonely because no one wants to help. If you do coerce family members into helping, they suddenly remember a previous engagement or a contagious disease (Covid is perfect for this). Get used to it; it’s not going to change. Ask Alexa to play “the happiest songs for dismantling Christmas decor,” and get to it. 

Before you start packing your decorations into either the very expensive storage containers from Target or Wayfair or the leftover egg cartons and disposable coffee cups from your garbage, you need to think about where you’re going to store these items. If you’re anything like me, you have enough decorations to transform the entire neighborhood into a Christmas wonderland. You need a solution, and you need it before the Christmas ornaments find a new home in your garage and the cars are stuck out in the driveway all year. 

What you need is a self-storage unit, preferably a convenient, secure, climate-controlled storage unit. Here at Trusted Self Storage, these units are available in a variety of sizes that are suitable for large or small Christmas trees and all your other seasonal items. You can add pegboards to the walls for hanging your wreaths and garlands and shelving for plastic ornament boxes and Christmas linens. With climate-controlled storage, you won’t find a pool of hardened wax that used to be a candle or a moldy piece of fabric that was once the beautiful table cloth that grandma crocheted with her arthritic hands

Tips to Prepare Your Decorations for Their Temporary Home

Take Pictures of Your Decorations

Did you ever begin your Christmas decorating, suddenly realizing that you can’t remember which decorations you used on the mantel or which centerpiece you used on the dining room table? As you age, this will happen. Before you remove those decorations for storage, take pictures for future reference. Mobile devices make it so easy to take photos. Add a few selfies before you store them; memories of the bags under your eyes are precious.

 

Be Careful with the Christmas Ornaments

In many families, Christmas ornaments are irreplaceable treasures. They represent life events, travel, and tradition. Many were created with little hands out of construction paper, glue and glitter. Some are given as special gifts. Fortunately, you can find endless options in boxes and containers made specifically to protect fragile ornaments. They’re available in Wayfair, Home Depot, and Target, just to name a few. Remember to leave the hangers on the ornaments, so that  you don’t have to make a trip to the store in the middle of next year’s decorating.

 

Keep Your Christmas Tree Looking New

Even though artificial trees are quite durable, storing your tree in its original box is not the best idea. With each passing year, the box will deteriorate, making it prone to insect (and deranged squirrel) infestation, and the tree will not look as nice if it has to be jammed into the box and reshaped every year. There are several different tree storage container options that will protect your tree and keep it in great shape. Climate-controlled storage is perfect for keeping your tree in pristine condition. This is especially important if you have a frosted or flocked tree; they don’t do well in extreme temperatures. Actually, they make a mess at any temperature.

  

Maintain your Wreaths and Garlands

As with all your other Christmas paraphernalia, there are numerous options for wreath and garland storage. Look for sturdy containers that will preserve the shape of these items and protect any decorative bows and ornaments. They can also be hung from hooks on a pegboard in your storage unit. For extra protection, you can cover them with a lightweight dry cleaning bag.

 

Keep Your Christmas Lights Untangled

Clark Griswold should not be your “go to” example for Christmas light storage or design. Think “organization.”  The first thing you need to do is to dispose of any lights that are damaged or not working properly. Then, you need to avoid the tangled mess of previous years by wrapping your lights around storage reels. When you’re finished organizing the lights, place them in a large plastic storage bin along with the necessary extension cords. Don’t forget to take pictures as a guide to next year’s light design.

 

Keep Your Christmas Linens Crisp and New Looking 

Be sure that your Christmas table linens, bed linens, and towels are clean prior to storage.  Stains can oxidize over time and be impossible to remove, so don’t be lazy and store them with wine and gravy stains. Don’t wrap linens in tissue, newsprint, or cardboard as these materials can release gases that will turn your fabric yellow. Plastic can also damage the fabric, and hangars can cause creases that are hard to iron out. If you have the space, you can store these items on an extra shelf in your linen closet. A better option is a suitcase that you no longer use in your storage unit. Keep in mind that these items should be stored in a climate-controlled environment to maintain their beauty and prevent further damage.

 

Candles Require Special Care

Wrap candles in old socks or cellophane to prevent scratching and color transfer.  Do not use plastic wrap or wax paper as they can stick to your candles. After you finish wrapping, store them in a box or crate, even in your ornament storage boxes.Be sure that they are in a climate-controlled area in your home or storage unit.  Unless, of course, you want melted, misshapen globs of wax.

 

Organize 

It goes without saying that you should store your boxes strategically and with labels. Not only should each label show a detailed content list, but they should be numbered and stored in the order in which you want to open them. 

 

Storing your decorations the right way is tedious and time consuming; but, when next year rolls around, you’ll be happy to find everything organized and in perfect condition, just like Marie Kondo. Then, you can start the process over again. Happy Holidays!

 

Have You Heard that Self Storage can be Your Black Friday Helper?

It’s November, and you know what that means. The holiday season is coming in for a landing. With the ease of online shopping, many of us have already begun to stash away Christmas gifts and surprises. And we all know, the earlier you start shopping, the more you buy.

When you think of the excitement on those sweet little faces at 5:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, it’s hard to resist buying everything they want!. Calm down and step away from the credit card. By noon, they’ll be playing with an empty box and sobbing with exhaustion. And you still have to navigate them through the remainder of the day with relatives and friends.  Here’s an idea. Make the time leading up to this day of disorder a little bit easier by using self storage. 

Give Yourself a Break – Use Self Storage to Stash the Presents

Black Friday is the shopping kickoff, followed by Cyber Monday, and every day and night thereafter until you have to find time to bake cookies, drink wine, and have one of many emotional breakdowns leading up to the big day. After all of that shopping comes the challenge of trying to find hiding places for all of those presents. It’s harder than trying to find a parking space at the mall on Christmas Eve. 

You need a plan, or the stashing of gifts will become a logistical nightmare. You’ll forget where you put them; and, if you wrap them prior to hiding, you’ll absolutely forget who they’re meant for. It’s so annoying when you open the freezer and the Lightsaber Academy Interactive Battle Lightsaber falls out and breaks your toe because brain fog caused you to forget you hid it in there. But the most fun you’ll have by far is watching Aunt Karen open Cousin Sydney’s Cards Against Humanity. Cue another breakdown.

Trusted Self Storage is your seasonal helper. Rent a convenient, secure, affordable self storage unit to use as ground zero for gifts. Our small sizes are perfect. You can use inexpensive shelving to keep the gifts off the ground, and you can even add a table to use for wrapping the presents. You don’t have to worry about making a long-term commitment to rent a unit, because we have flexible month-to-month leasing. 

Wrap With Friends

Better yet, if you want to save money, rent a slightly larger unit and share with friends. You not only use the space for gifts, but you can set up a wrapping station. Place a folding table with several tape dispensers and scissors in the unit. You can use it individually, or plan a wrapping party, complete with eggnog and snacks. Wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbon can be supplied by each renter.

Choose The Right Storage Facility

If you’re going to use storage for your gifts, you need to find a facility that is secure and convenient.

Location

At this time of year, you need to think about convenience. You’ll be stopping at the unit frequently, so you’ll need a facility in your neighborhood that is close to the places where you shop and run errands.

Security

Cost is an important factor, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Find a reputable company with state-of-the-art security. Look for video surveillance, perimeter fencing, security locks, and electronic keypad access. You’ll also want a friendly, knowledgeable management team that is willing to answer your questions, understand your needs, and show you around the property.

Delivery

As an additional advantage, many self-storage facilities accept deliveries. You can spend a day shopping on the internet and have all of your items shipped to your storage facility: the ultimate in convenience.

Climate Control

If you live in an area that’s subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, opting for a climate-controlled unit will be better for you and your gifts. If you plan to share with friends and spend time wrapping gifts in the unit, you want to be comfortable and you want your gifts to be protected from damage and humidity. 

Insurance

One last thought. Don’t forget to check with your insurance agent to verify that your gifts are covered under your homeowners’ or renters’ policy. If your policy does not cover these items, you can purchase insurance from your storage company.

 

You’ll be surprised at how much less stressful your life will be with a safe, comfortable hiding place for your gifts, especially if you bought one of the kids an electric ride-on car. You won’t have to store it in your neighbor’s living room for two months. Merry Christmas!

Self Storage – The Updated Plan to Hide Your Christmas Gifts

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again; time to shop, shop, shop, and shop.

Black Friday is the shopping kickoff, followed by Cyber Monday, and every day and night thereafter. After all of that shopping comes the challenge of trying to find hiding places for all of those presents. It’s harder than trying to find a parking space at the mall during the last week of Christmas. The big day finally arrives, and you can put the gifts under the tree (if you can find them).

To make sure you can find your gifts, you need an unfailing strategy. Did you ever, as a bleary-eyed, sleep-deprived parent, watch the kids opening gifts on Christmas morning? Suddenly you’re jolted awake by the realization that you forgot to put one or two of this year’s most coveted toys under the tree. You’ll never forget watching your child’s gleeful little face turn red and tearful while you frantically search every nook and cranny for those gifts. And then you have to explain why Santa got confused and didn’t leave them under the tree. Great start to a very long day.

Calm down; we can help. Trusted Self Storage is your Santa’s helper. Rent a convenient, secure, affordable self storage unit to use as ground zero for gifts. Our small sizes are perfect. You can use inexpensive shelving to keep the gifts off the ground, and you can even add a table to use for wrapping the presents. You don’t have to worry about making a long-term commitment to rent a unit, because we have flexible month-to-month leasing. 

Time to Party

Better yet, if you want to save money, rent a slightly larger unit and share with friends. You can use the space for gifts, and set up a wrapping station for everyone involved. Place a folding table with several tape dispensers and scissors in the unit. You can use it by yourself, or you can plan a wrapping party. Don’t forget the eggnog and snacks; you probably won’t get much done, but you’ll have fun! Wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbon can be supplied by each renter.

Choose The Right Storage Facility

If you’re going to use storage to store your gifts you need to find a facility that is secure and convenient.

Location

At this time of year more than any other, you need to think about convenience. You’ll be stopping at the unit frequently, so you’ll need a facility in your neighborhood that is close to the places where you shop and run errands.

Security

Cost is an important factor, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Find a reputable company with state-of-the-art security. Look for video surveillance, perimeter fencing, security locks, and electronic keypad access. You’ll also want a friendly, knowledgeable management team that is willing to answer your questions, understand your needs, and show you around the property.

Delivery

As an additional advantage, many self-storage facilities accept deliveries. You can spend a day shopping on the internet and have all of your items shipped to your storage facility: the ultimate in convenience.

Climate Control

If you live in an area that’s subject to extreme temperature fluctuations, whether hot or cold, opting for a climate-controlled unit will be better for you and your gifts. If you plan to share with friends and spend time wrapping gifts in the unit, you want to be comfortable and you want your gifts to be protected from damage or humidity. 

Insurance

One last thought. Don’t forget to check with your insurance agent to verify that your gifts are covered under your homeowners’ or renters’ policy. If your policy does not cover these items, you can purchase insurance from your storage company.

You’ll be surprised at how much less stressful your life will be with your gifts hidden away from prying hands and spying eyes. Christmas morning will be the usual scene of happiness and bedlam, but no one will be crying (except maybe you because your exhausted and you still have to cook for 35 people). Merry Christmas!

 

Self Storage With a Heart

By this time, you’ve probably started your Christmas shopping. If you have little ones, you want to give them their heart’s desire, so you started in June. That’s probably not the best idea, because kid’s minds change faster than the speed of Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve. You think you’ve found the newest Lego set or Barbie Care Clinic, complete with X-ray machine, eye chart, and patients. And, then they see the latest and greatest toys on TV commercials. 

Being able to give your children happy Christmas memories and lasting traditions is a blessing. As you know, there are those who don’t have the resources to give their children a special Christmas morning, complete with sparkling Christmas tree, tons of toys, and glittery decorations. There will be children who wake up on Christmas morning with no trees, no decorations, and, worst of all, no gifts.

 

Share Your Blessings

Sharing your blessings with others, especially these families, is the most meaningful, heartfelt way to celebrate the season. There are so many organizations that make Christmas wishes come true for disadvantaged children. They need your help this year.

Writing a check is great, but it’s easy. Giving of yourself by being directly involved is more rewarding. Volunteer for your chosen charity; and, if your children are old enough, encourage them to do the same. You can serve Christmas dinner to the disadvantaged, or help out at a food bank. If you own a business, you can provide free services or materials. These are only a few of the ways in which you can help out. If you check Volunteering on Christmas How Stuff Works, you’ll discover countless organizations that need your help.

 

Feel Good

If holiday chaos is driving you crazy, think about this. Scientific studies have shown that helping those in need can reduce stress and depression. Charity can generate feelings of gratitude by reminding you of your own blessings.

Christmas that gets many of us thinking about how we can help those in need. It’s good for the soul to get away from the excess and commercialism of the season. The decorations are stunning, the food is scrumptious, and the shopping is fun; but giving is at the heart of the season. You’ll not only give disadvantaged kids and their families happy memories this Christmas, but change lives in the process. Please share your blessings. It feels good!

 

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

                                                                                                          Winston Churchill                   

 

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