If you have computers, consumer electronics, expensive furniture, or other valuables that need secure storage, you need to be sure of the security capabilities. Many people are impressed by sturdy-looking buildings, camera systems, and security guards, but it's not always as it appears. To make sure that your belongings are getting the security advertised by security storage facilities, here are a few inspection points to help you make an informed decision.

Test The Surveillance Systems

Security cameras are a stable of security, but you need to be sure that they're working. It's not unheard of for large retailers and small businesses alike to have cameras installed, but not running or recording. The cameras act as deterrents to keep the basic level of human mischief and casual thievery at bay, but if your storage facility of choice boasts security, it's also a place that thieves may plan a more involved theft job against.

Before settling on a storage facility, pick a specific day and time to visit the storage facility. Walk around the facility within security camera view, then come back a day or two later. When discussing security, ask to see footage of that specific day and time in specific areas.

You should be within view as long as you stood in obvious camera-pointed areas, so if the footage just shows generic business that could be any given day, the facility is likely doing a poor job of recording. There's little excuse for failing to record with modern surveillance systems, as the system should be connected to a device that records with either discs (CDs, DVDs, or even Blu-rays) or a storage drive such as a hard drive or SSD (solid state drive).

Beyond that basic level of recording depends on you. The cameras don't need to be perfect, crystal-clear quality that can zoom in on a spec of dandruff in a person's hair, but you should be able to discern different faces or features with modern cameras.

Check Physical Security

A good storage facility with security as its focus will have a secure building design. This means limiting the number of entries and exits, which becomes a challenge for large-scale storage facilities.

Bigger storage facilities will have strong, secure doors that allow customers to bring their belongings in with trunks. Every storage unit should have its own door, and no units should be connected by the side walls. For smaller storage facilities, there should be one interior door for each storage unit.

Some thieves rent their own storage units, then break into other customer's units by slowly breaking down walls or digging under the floor. Be sure to inspect your unit for holes or recent patchwork on the surfaces and alert your facility.

A 24/7 or at least night time security guard team can keep an eye and ear out for anything strange while most people aren't paying attention, and they should have some command of the surveillance system. Contact a self storage facility to discuss security features with your valuable belongings in mind.

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