When the temperatures get warmer and it’s time to take your boat out of storage for the season, what should you do to make sure you’re ready to hit the water? Hopefully, when you placed your boat in storage , you prepared it for its downtime, so there should be only general maintenance standing between you and a day on the water. Follow these steps to get ready for getting the most enjoyment possible out of your boat.

Clean Your Boat Thoroughly

Your boat was likely clean when you put it into storage, but you will still need to clean it when you get it out, to remove any dirt and debris that have built up. As you clean, inspect the parts of your boat and make any minor repairs that may be necessary. Ensuring that the boat is clean and minor issues are fixed before you get out on the water will help you avoid bigger issues in the future. Check the winches, pumps, tie-down cleats, and other parts of the boat. Consider having your motor professionally inspected before you start boating for the season.

Restock Your Safety Equipment

The worst time to find out that you don’t have the safety equipment that you need is when you’re on the water. Now is the time to check things like life vests and safety rafts and replace them as needed. Check your flares for signs of water damage and other issues, and replace them if you think they could have been compromised. Make sure that your fire extinguisher has not expired or isn’t set to expire during the season. If it is, replace it.

Look for Fuel System Damage

Carefully look for any signs of damage to your fuel system, including worn hoses or corrosion around connection points or on the battery. Make sure there isn’t evidence of leaks. If you see any fuel system damage, get repairs done before you take your boat out to cut the risk of a fire or getting stranded.

You can count on your boat being safe in the off-season when you choose POUCH Self Storage for your storage needs . Find out about all of our storage units in Lake Forest by contacting us at (800) 378-4598.

If you love collecting, then chances are that storage an issue in your household. A self-storage unit can be the perfect place to keep your collection, as long as you prepare things appropriately for storing. Keep your collection in top condition and save space at home with this advice for safe storage for some popular types of collectables.

Antique Furniture

Antique furniture can be a valuable thing to collect, but only if you store it properly. Start by using a protective cover on the furniture, which will help to prevent damage. Avoid using plastic covers, which will trap moisture and make wood and other materials swell. Be sure that you don’t wrap the furniture so tightly that air can’t circulate, which can also lead to problems with moisture control. Store furniture on pallets or cinderblocks instead of directly on the ground.

Trading Cards

Trading cards are easy to store as long as you protect them properly. Because cards are made of paper, moisture is the biggest issue you need to prevent. Top loader display sheets and magnetic display sheets are good for storage, since they protect your cards while allowing you to look at them. Store the sheets inside binders, and put the binders on shelves in the storage unit, rather than on the floor. Avoid stacking the cards loose in boxes, as the cardboard won’t provide adequate protect from dust, moisture, and debris.

Dolls

Doll collections can easily take up too much space in your home. To keep them safe in storage, avoid plastic coverings and instead wrap the dolls in acid-free tissue paper and place them in doll storage boxes. Keeping the boxes off the ground on pallets or shelves will help to protect them from dust and debris.

Don’t give up your collecting hobby. Instead, use a self-storage unit in San Juan at POUCH Self Storage to keep your items protected and out of your home. For more information about renting a storage unit, call us at (800) 378-4598.

Once you file your taxes, you may feel like getting rid of all of your records, but in reality, it’s important to hang on to them for a minimum of 7 years. If you ever face an audit for your personal taxes or your business, being able to pull your old tax records out of your storage unit could be critical in your case.

In most cases, you should keep your tax records for at least three years from the date on which they were due. If you file for a special circumstance, such as a bad debt deduction, you should keep your records at least seven years. If you have the space in your personal storage or business storage facility, keeping your taxes indefinitely is ideal.

POUCH Self Storage offers storage units in a variety of sizes, as well as records management services and on-site document shredding. Get more information about storage units in Tustin for your personal or business use by calling (800) 378-4598.

Records management is an enormous challenge for many businesses, in terms of storage space, access, and security. At POUCH, we take the hassle out of this process with our records management service. If you’re considering using our records management services for your business, here are the answers to some questions that may be on your mind.

Does POUCH offer any confidentially guarantees?

Your records are not only important for the way you do business. They are also sensitive and confidential. Our records management service is HIPAA, FACTA, and SOX compliant, so you can rely on our ability to ensure that your sensitive information and that of your customers is always protected.

How do I know when it is time to destroy my records?

Records retention and destruction is central to management. You can set your own parameters for destruction criteria. We also offer HIPAA, FACTA, and SOX compliant recycling and document shredding services on site as well as free shred and recycle consoles at your office to make managing your records easier than ever.

Will it be hard to access my records when I need them?

Your files will never be further away than your fingertips, with 24-hour online access with a dedicated security code. A full audit trail makes it easy to manage how the files are being used and accessed. We also offer delivery and pick-up service at your request, so you can always obtain hard copies of your records when you need them quickly and efficiently.

Solve the complications of record management for your business with the help of POUCH. For more information about storage units, records management, and on-site document shredding in San Juan , call us at (800) 378-4598.