Whether you’re moving house, decluttering, or simply needing extra space, properly storing your fragile items is essential to maintaining their pristine condition. At Safeguard Storage, we recognise the value and sentimentality of your belongings and are dedicated to helping you store them securely. Ensuring the safety of your fragile items in a self-storage unit involves following some key do’s and don’ts.
With decades of experience helping Kiwis store their items safely, we’ve put together a helpful checklist with the necessary steps to protect your items, giving you peace of mind knowing they are safe. Let Safeguard Storage assist you in ensuring your delicate possessions remain intact and undamaged.
Do’s of Storing Fragile Items
- Use Proper Packing Materials
Do – use high-quality packing materials. It might be tempting to use old boxes and newspapers, but investing in sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and foam can make a big difference. These materials provide cushioning and protection against impacts.
Why Safeguard Storage? We offer a variety of packing materials right at our facilities, so you can easily purchase everything you need to keep your items safe.
- Label Your Boxes Clearly
Do – label your boxes clearly and accurately. Write “Fragile” in bold letters on all sides of the box, and consider adding an arrow to indicate which side should be kept upright. This will help anyone handling the boxes know they need to be extra careful.
Why Safeguard Storage? With our spacious and well-organised units, it’s easy to arrange and access your labelled boxes, ensuring you can find what you need without rummaging through everything.
- Pack Items Individually
Do – pack fragile items individually. Wrap each item separately with bubble wrap or foam. For dishes and glassware, place a layer of packing material between each piece to prevent them from clinking together and breaking.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our spacious storage units provide ample space for you to pack your items properly without the need to cram everything into a small area. This means you can take your time to pack each item carefully.
- Use Sturdy Boxes
Do – use sturdy, high-quality boxes. Weak boxes can collapse under weight or tear easily, leading to potential damage. Double-walled boxes are a great option for added strength and protection.
Why Safeguard Storage? We understand the importance of strong, durable storage solutions. Our facility is designed to keep your items safe and secure, so using sturdy boxes complements the secure environment we provide.
- Create an Inventory List
Do – create an inventory list of all the fragile items you are storing. This will help you keep track of your belongings and ensure that nothing gets lost or forgotten.
Why Safeguard Storage? With our easy access and convenient layout, having an inventory list for your self-storage unit makes it simple to find and check on your items whenever you need to.
- Store Strategically
Do – store your fragile items strategically. Self-storage organisation is key to a well-maintained, safe, and secure storage unit. Place heavier boxes at the bottom and lighter, fragile boxes on top. This prevents heavier items from crushing the more delicate ones.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our units offer customisable spaces where you can arrange your belongings in the best way to keep them safe, allowing you to stack boxes safely and securely.
- Leave Space for Airflow
Do – leave space between boxes and walls for airflow. Proper ventilation helps prevent mould and mildew, which can damage your items.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our units are designed to allow for good airflow, helping to keep your items in the best possible condition during their stay with us.
Don’ts of Storing Fragile Items
- Don’t Use Newspaper as Packing Material
Don’t – use newspaper to wrap your fragile items. The ink can transfer onto your items, especially if they are made of fabric or have a light colour, and it doesn’t provide enough cushioning to protect against impacts.
Why Safeguard Storage? We recommend using bubble wrap or foam, which we offer at our facility, to ensure your items are properly protected and free from ink stains.
- Don’t Overpack Boxes
Don’t – overpack your boxes. Overpacking can cause boxes to burst or become too heavy to handle safely, increasing the risk of dropping and damaging your fragile items.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our spacious units mean you don’t need to overpack to save space. Spread your items out and use as many boxes as you need to keep everything secure.
- Don’t Store Items Without Protection
Don’t – store fragile items without proper protection. Simply placing items in a box without wrapping them first can lead to chips, cracks, and breaks.
Why Safeguard Storage? We provide a safe environment for your belongings, but it’s important to take those extra steps in packing to ensure they remain in perfect condition.
- Don’t Stack Boxes Too High
Don’t – stack boxes too high. High stacks can become unstable and topple over, damaging the contents inside. Stick to a manageable height to ensure stability.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our units come in various sizes to accommodate your needs, allowing you to spread out your boxes instead of stacking them precariously.
- Don’t Forget Insurance
Don’t – forget to consider insurance for your stored items. Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. Insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing your fragile items are covered.
Why Safeguard Storage? We offer information and resources about storage insurance options to help you choose the best coverage for your belongings.
- Don’t Store Items on the Floor
Don’t – place fragile items directly on the floor. Use pallets or shelving to keep your items off the ground and protect them from any potential water damage.
Why Safeguard Storage? Our facilities are clean and dry, but it’s always a good practice to keep items elevated to avoid unexpected issues.
- Don’t Use Cheap Tape
Don’t – use cheap tape to seal your boxes. Weak tape can come undone, leaving your boxes open and vulnerable to damage. Use strong packing tape designed for moving and storage.
Why Safeguard Storage? We provide high-quality packing supplies, including strong packing tape, to ensure your boxes stay sealed and secure.
- Don’t Ignore Weight Limits
Don’t – ignore the weight limits of your boxes. Overloading can make it difficult to move and increase the risk of dropping, which can lead to broken items.
Why Safeguard Storage? With our variety of unit sizes, you can distribute the weight of your belongings across multiple boxes and avoid overloading.
Storing Fragile Items Safely at Safeguard Storage
Storing fragile items requires extra care, but with the right approach, you can ensure they stay safe and intact. By following these simple dos and don’ts, you’ll be well on your way to a successful storage experience.
At Safeguard Storage, we’re dedicated to providing you with the best storage solutions. Our facilities are equipped with everything you need to store your fragile items safely, from high-quality packing materials to climate-controlled units.
Remember, taking the time to pack and store your items properly now can save you a lot of hassle and heartache later. If you have any questions or need assistance, our friendly staff is always here to help. Happy storing!