The National Safety Council reports that over 46 million injuries occurred in 2018, with a good percentage of them happening at home. This June, the NSC promotes National Safety Month to raise awareness of injury prevention. For those who use self-storage regularly, it’s as important to observe safety measures on the property as it is at work, home, and anywhere else.
To maintain a safe environment within your self-storage unit, remember these tips:
- Wear comfortable, protective clothing for extended periods of time spent moving items in or out of your unit. Gloves, closed-toe shoes, and long pants are especially helpful if you need to lift and move large, heavy objects.
- Lift with your knees, not your back! Stretching before you get to work can help loosen your body before you get to work. Recruit a helper to assist with moving furniture like chairs and sofas, too.
- If you rent an unit accessible from the outside, apply sunscreen if you know you’re going to be there a while. Even on days that appear cloudy, you may be susceptible to sunburns if you stay outside too long.
- When stacking bins and boxes, take care to have a sturdy base and make sure all containers are properly secured. Don’t stack boxes too high for risk of collapse.
- As you place belongings in your unit, leave a wide enough path to the back wall so you can easily access what you need on return visits.
When possible, too, use moving equipment like hand trucks and straps to secure your belongings as you move them. You can reduce the risk of dropping something and causing injury to yourself or others.
At Eden Way Storage Center, we offer free use of our moving truck to make it easier for new renters to bring items to their units. We are also here to help with your questions about renting self-storage in Chesapeake. Contact us today!