When it comes down to it, the storage facility where you keep your things is largely responsible for keeping your items safe and secure. The company should do things like restrict access to the facility, keep cameras operational, and only hand out keys or key codes to current renters. However, as someone who is renting a storage unit, you will also need to do your part to keep your items secure. Here are a few steps you can take.

Choose a unit with a camera aimed at the front.

When you are visiting a storage facility to rent a storage unit, pay attention to where the cameras are located. At many storage facilities, there are cameras aimed at the entryway and a few others scattered throughout the place. If possible, you want to choose a storage unit that has a camera offering a full view of its door. This way, if anyone should attempt to get around other security measures and break into your unit, there is a greater chance of it being caught on camera.

Bring your own lock.

Some storage facilities will provide a lock for you. Others will require you to bring your own lock. Even if the storage facility is willing to provide you with a lock, though, you should supply your own. If the lock the facility provides has ever been used before, someone else could have the keys or code to that lock. Bringing your own lock ensures that your belongings will be kept safe.

Don't tell too many people about your storage unit.

Be careful who you tell about your storage unit and what you have inside of it. As much as you would like to trust your friends and acquaintances, you never know who will overhear something and act irresponsibly. Tell a close family member or maybe two about your storage unit so that someone knows where your things are if anything should happen to you—but don't tell anyone else.

Visit your storage unit in the daytime, if possible.

If you can manage to avoid visiting your storage unit after dark, do so. After dark, it is easier for someone to hide and watch you enter your code, steal your key, or observe what is inside your storage unit and make future plans to break in.

Keeping your storage unit secure requires some collaboration between yourself and the storage facility. If you adhere to the tips above, you'll be doing your part.

For more information, contact a storage company.