Many people hesitate to put precious photos in a self-storage unit , for fear that they will be damaged by humidity. In reality, storage units can be completely safe for photos, as long as you take the proper steps to protect them. Follow this advice to keep your treasured photos safe in storage for years to come.

Choose Climate Controlled Storage

Humidity is the main risk to photos in storage units, but you can reduce the chances of humidity damage by renting a climate-controlled storage unit. In climate-controlled units, temperatures are kept at a steady level, so humidity levels stay under control. With stable temperatures and humidity levels, you don’t have to worry about mold or other kinds of water damage putting your photos in jeopardy.

Use a Safe Container

Instead of putting your photos in photo albums or plastic sandwich bags, look for bags and containers that have passed the Photographic Activity Test, or PAT. Storage options that are PAT rated are acid free and made from materials that will not harm your photos, even when temperatures change. Inside the PAT-rated container, avoid using rubber bands or paperclips on your photos. Instead, stack photos facing away from each other in a neat pile. If your photos are facing each other, the colors can bleed, especially if the inside of the container gets too warm.

Store Photos Off the Floor

Once your photos are packed for storage, don’t put the containers directly on the floor of your unit. Put wood pallets on the floor to elevate them, or consider installing shelves in the unit for extra storage. Keeping photos off the ground will protect them from moisture and reduce the risk of pests infiltrating your boxes.

The climate-controlled storage units in Long Beach at POUCH Self Storage are ideal for protecting your important belongings, including family photos. To find out more about storage facilities and our unit sizes, please call us today at (800) 378-4598.

When it’s time to rent a storage unit for your belongings, a moving truck, moving pads, and furniture dolly will help you get your possessions there safely. People often make the mistake of selecting a truck that’s too small. As a general rule of thumb, you should choose a truck that’s a size larger than you think you’ll need. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to unload the truck to get a larger one, make multiple trips, or leave some of your possessions behind.

The amount of space in a moving truck is expressed in cubic feet. It’s tricky to estimate exactly which size truck you’ll need, unless you love math and enjoy calculating the volume of your furniture. Professional movers usually make estimates by the number of rooms. About three rooms of furniture can fit into a truck with 20 cubic feet of space.

POUCH Self Storage is pleased to offer free moving trucks and their accompanying drivers to help our customers in San Juan Capistrano move belongings to storage units. Call (800) 378-4598 or explore our website to check out our storage units in advance.

Does it feel like clutter is taking over your home? Sorting through documents can be a good place to start decluttering, but be careful what you toss out. When you watch this video, you’ll hear a records management expert explain which tax documents you should keep in storage, and which ones you can safely shred.

Since the IRS can audit your tax returns as far back as seven years, you should keep all of your returns and supporting documents for seven years. These documents may include business receipts, canceled checks, and 1099 forms. You should save documents pertaining to your retirement accounts for the rest of your life. However, you can safely shred credit card statements after about two months.

POUCH Self Storage makes records management easy with our storage units in San Juan Capistrano. Call (800) 378-4598, and be sure to ask us about our available packing supplies to help you stay organized.

There can be quite a learning curve when you purchase your first RV, and learning how to maneuver it is only half the battle. Consider joining a club or meet-up for RV enthusiasts to pick the brains of experienced RV travelers. Pay close attention to any advice you get on RV storage , as properly winterizing your vehicle is crucial for keeping it in like-new condition.

Turn off all appliances.

Safe RV storage requires that all LP gas appliances be turned off. You should also shut off the main gas supply valve, and take off the fuse for the LP gas leak detector. Prevent insects from nesting in these areas by covering up the water heater, furnace, and refrigerator vents. Unplug all appliances, and turn off the main breaker. Don’t forget to check in the fridge! Remove all items, and defrost the freezer. Keep the fridge and freezer doors open while the RV is in storage.

Keep the batteries in good condition.

Always remove the negative terminal of the battery first. If there’s any corrosion, you can use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the batteries. After placing the batteries in storage, revisit them every month. Take a battery charger with you, and recharge them if they’re at 80% power or less.

Prevent water damage during long-term vehicle storage.

Moisture damage is every RV owner’s enemy . First, give your RV a good scrub, and then check all of the rubber seals, caulking, and silicon seams. Repair or replace anything that looks damaged. Next, consider installing vent covers on the roof vents, if your RV currently lacks them. With special vent covers, you can leave each of the roof vents open during long-term storage to allow for air circulation without risking water damage. This can prevent musty odors from building up.

Outdoor and covered RV storage in Rancho Cucamonga is available from POUCH Self Storage. We offer flexible payment plans and unbeatable rental terms for our vehicle storage options. You can reach us at (800) 378-4598 if you have any questions.

Electronic health records (EHRs) are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Although countless medical practices have now made the switch or are setting up EHR systems, there are still plenty of paper documents that need to be managed in a way that protects patient confidentiality. Compliant records management and secure document shredding will maintain your practice’s good reputation.

Applicable Practices

Records retention and shredding compliance requirements apply to all types of medical offices. Your office must take strict steps to protect patient privacy, regardless of whether it’s a major medical center or a small family medicine office.

• Chiropractors
• Dentists
• Nursing homes
• Psychiatrists
• Massage therapists
• Walk-in clinics
• Mental health counselors
• Substance abuse treatment facilities

All of the above types of practices need to be careful with confidential patient information, as well as any other type of provider who sees patients.

Retention Requirements

A patient’s medical records need to be retained in a secure location for years. The exact length of time can vary from state to state. Consider checking with a legal professional or your state’s medical association for guidance. For example, in California, individual physicians aren’t subject to retention requirements, but hospitals are. The medical records of an adult patient must be kept for at least seven years after the last date of discharge. Records of minor patients must be kept for either seven years after the last date of discharge, or until the patient is 19 years old—whichever period is longer applies.

Information Destruction Policies

Every medical office should have a clear, written policy regarding the retention and destruction of confidential medical information. Stored documents must be reasonably secure. Document shredding must also be done in a confidential, secure way. To protect your patients and to protect your office from liability, you should use a professional document destruction service.

Confidential and secure on-site shredding services are available at POUCH Self Storage . We’re pleased to offer this important service at all of our locations, including our self-storage facility in Lake Forest. You can call (800) 378-4598 if you have any questions about on-site document shredding.

One of the first steps of getting ready for a move is to declutter your home. In this video, you will learn some professional tips that will help you declutter your home and pack up your belongings. As you are sorting through all of your stuff, ask yourself whether you will need each item in your new home. Storage units offer secure space to keep any extra items that you may not be ready to part with.

To free up additional space during your next move, contact POUCH Self Storage to learn more about self storage in Tustin . From moving trucks to packing supplies and more, we offer all of the tools that you will need to plan a stress-free move. For more information about our storage units and pricing, give us a call at (800) 378-4598.

When you are preparing to move your stuff into personal storage, it is crucial to review which items are allowed in your facility. While storage units can house a variety of different items, they are typically not the place to store food items and other perishable goods. Even pantry staples, such as flour or sugar, can spoil and attract pests when they are placed into storage. Before you unload your boxes at the storage unit facility, check to make sure that you have not packed any food items. Canned food is one exception to this rule. As long as canned items are completely sealed, they should not pose a problem in your storage facility.

If you have questions about the dos and don’ts of preparing for self-storage in Lake Forest , the team at POUCH Self Storage will be happy to assist you. From vehicle storage to personal storage and more, we offer a variety of storage units that come in all shapes and sizes. To reserve your unit today, call us at (800) 378-4598.

As a business owner, you may find that your company accumulates numerous files, papers, and receipts over the course of the year. While some of these papers are essential for your recordkeeping, others may simply be taking up space. With on-site document shredding services , you can safely and securely eliminate papers that are not serving your business’ needs. Here is an overview of the papers that you should and should not send through the shredder.

Don’t Shred Financial Statements
Financial statements are examples of documents that should never be shredded. Your financial documents may include reports of your assets, yearly income, or equity. Other important financial papers include cash flow statements and retained earnings statements. By keeping these documents on file, you will be able to keep accurate records of your business’ financial standing.

Sort Tax Documents Before Shredding
When you are seeking out papers to shred, you may be tempted to eliminate your old tax documents. While some tax documents can be shredded, others must be kept in storage for a certain period of time. As a rule, you should wait at least six years before shredding your company’s past tax statements. Employee tax documents, such as I-9 forms, can usually be shredded after four years.

Shred Identifiable Information
Once you have taken stock of the items you will need to retain for your records, you will be ready to start shredding any other identifiable information. Documents that include confidential information about your customers should be shredded after use. Any other papers that contain insider details about your company should also be sent through the shredder.

If you have further questions about on site document shredding protocols for businesses, contact POUCH Self Storage by calling (800) 378-4598. Along with our vehicle storage and self storage in Lake Forest, our personal storage company also offers secure shredding services. Our team will be happy to help you shred your extra documents and get your paper filing system under control.

Fall is in the air, and now is a time when many RV owners are preparing their vehicles for the winter season. Rather than leaving your RV out in the elements during the coming months, consider renting an RV storage unit . By placing your vehicle in storage, you can rest assured it will be ready for your adventures next year. Let’s review some essential tips that will help you prepare your RV for storage.

Clean the Exterior
An important step in preparing your RV for storage is to make sure that its exterior is clean and free of dirt or road debris. Before you place your RV into storage, take the time to thoroughly wash and wax its exterior surfaces. While you are washing your RV, you can also inspect various locks and seams for signs of wear and tear.

Maintain the Tires
Your RV’s tires are among its most essential components. Without proper preparation, your tires may deflate or become damaged when your RV is stored over the winter months. If you want to protect your tires, make sure to inflate them to the correct PSI, before you place your vehicle into storage. You can also choose to cover your tires with protective fabric once your RV has been moved into storage.

Change the Oil
Before your RV is ready for winter storage, it will typically need a fresh oil change. Leaving dirty oil in your RV’s engine is a recipe for mechanical problems during your next road trip. Along with changing your oil, you can also refill your coolant system and check the levels of your transmission fluid.

When you are seeking secure RV storage for the upcoming winter season, be sure to get in contact with the team at POUCH Self Storage . Our facility offers spacious RV storage in Lake Forest, and we will also be happy to provide you with personal storage for your belongings. To learn more about our current vehicle storage options, give us a call at (800) 378-4598.

A fully stocked inventory can be a valuable asset to your business. However, if you do not store your inventory correctly, you may find that your products deteriorate and become damaged over time. To rest assured that your inventory is properly protected from extreme heat and cold, it may be a good idea to rent a business storage unit . Here is a look at some signs that your store’s inventory should be stored in a climate controlled unit.

Your business is located in a hot area.
When you are deciding whether climate controlled storage is necessary for your inventory, you should think about the average weather conditions in your area. If temperature conditions become extremely hot or humid during the summer season, it may be wise to invest in climate controlled storage for your inventory. The same philosophy applies during the cold winter months, when freezing temperatures can damage your products.

You sell delicate or fragile items.
Climate controlled storage can protect your inventory from humidity, excess heat, and freezing temperatures. If any of your company’s items are very delicate and susceptible to changes in temperature, it is a good idea to invest in a climate controlled storage space. Without climate controlled storage, you may find that your inventory becomes warped, discolored, or otherwise damaged.

You have experienced previous problems with inventory damage.
Damaged inventory can be devastating to the profitability of your business. When you are recovering from a major inventory loss, be sure to seek out a climate controlled storage unit for your next batch of products. A storage facility that is completely climate controlled will make sure that your inventory is completely protected.

When you are seeking storage units near San Juan, look no further than the business storage services that are available from POUCH Self Storage. Our company specializes in climate controlled storage services, and we will make sure that your inventory is protected. To reserve a storage unit for your business, give us a call at (800) 378-4598.