Watching your back … along with your head, neck, arms, legs…

In the third of our series of hints and tips on self storage we look at the steps you should take to avoid injury when moving your things in and out of your unit…

Self storing almost always involves lifting, pushing and stacking – and there’s usually some sweating, grunting and “left-a-bit…hang-on…right-a-bit” that comes with it.

If you’re moving heavy items into store then it’s worth taking some time to prepare yourself. We’re not talking about a 3 month body building course at the local gym here – just a good look at some of the guidance that’s out there on manual handling (the proper name for lifting and moving things).

There’s a lot you can do to reduce the chances of causing yourself a mischief when manual handling and they’re largely a question of good technique.

Before we get to the technique though – the best advice is to err on the side of caution. If you think moving something is beyond your limits – it probably is. So our advice is to get some help if you need it.  That could be in the form of a professional moving service (and we can recommend one that shares our passion for great service and value), or it could be asking a mate or two to help you out.

Once you’ve worked out what you can and can’t manage make sure that you (and anyone else you’ve roped in) understand the basics of lifting and moving.  It’s a common response these days to take the view that Health and Safety has all gone a bit overboard – but for manual handling there’s some really good advice that makes a lot of sense.  It won’t stop you moving what you need to move, but it should help you do it with a greatly reduced chance of straining yourself (or worse).

That advice is from the experts – the Health and Safety executive no less. So rather than reproduce it here’s a link to their booklet ‘Getting to Grips with Manual Handling’. Pages 6 and 7 are the ones we think are most relevant.

Happy storing. You can find out more hints and tips for storing on our website in our Self-storage for beginners section on our website [link]

Try not to get addicted to popping the bubble wrap

In the second installment of our hints and tips on getting the best from your self storage – we look at organising your unit and packaging your things.

So you’ve planned your move-in with the precision of a special forces operation. You know what’s going in which box and the order they’ll go into your unit. Great, but it’s worth giving the layout of your unit and packaging of the stuff you want to store some thought as well.  There’s nothing worse than finding your back catalogue of first edition Beatles vinyl has been wrecked – because you boxed it vertically – and then stacked the last 10 years worth of subscriptions to Rolling Stone magazine on top.

Firstly – leave space for access to the rear of the unit and avoid leaning things against walls – it helps ventilation. Whilst professional storage units are warm and dry the things you are storing could need to breathe.

Secondly – protect fragile items with bubble wrap, mark the box ‘Fragile’ and avoid putting heavy items on top. You may of course get sidetracked by the therapeutic properties of bubble-wrap. This link might help you get that urge out of the way.

You can also make the most of your space by dismantling furniture where possible (you’ll fit more in). Detach legs from tables and beds to save space and wrap the legs in more of that bubble wrap to avoid damage. Likewise stacking chairs seat to seat can also help save space and putting cloth or bubble wrap in between will help protect them if they are valuable or antique.  In fact, covering the lot with dust sheets is a good idea to keep them protected from scratches or bumps.

If you are storing clothes then using wardrobe boxes to keep them on hangers is a must if you want to avoid them getting mis-shaped. Stand mattresses on end and avoid stacking heavy items on soft furnishings, besides laying them down might encourage you to take a nap and you’re not allowed to sleep in your storage unit.

Of course, if you need real bubble wrap – or any packaging items for storing for that matter – you can get them from our shop in store, or from boxes to move.

Happy storing – and don’t forget you can find out more hints and tips for storing on our website in our Self-storage for beginners section on the ABC Selfstore website.

How to avoid looking for a needle in a haystack, or an antique necklace in a storage unit…

In the first of our guides offering you some handy hints and tips on making the best of your storage space – we look at moving your stuff and how to make the most of your space.

If you want to avoid having to search for a needle in a haystack, a share certificate in a ‘piling system’ or a gold bracelet in a strong box you need to plan your move in from the point you pack – at home or office.

Knowing what is in which box is the first step. Now you could number your boxes, boot up the computer and record a complete inventory  - with all the precision of an international shipping company – or you could just scrawl a list of what’s inside on the side of your boxes in marker pen.  Whichever technique you choose it means you’ll at least have some idea of what’s where once it is all packed into your storage unit.

It’s also well worth planning the layout of your storage unit – especially if you want to avoid that ‘I’m-going-to-be-here-all-day’ sinking feeling. Like when you realise box 4 (buried behind boxes 5 to 20) is where you put that pair of diamond earrings you had an inkling might be worth something – and you just saw them on Antiques roadshow valued at £3,000.

A simple rule – last in/first out – is worth remembering when you pack your storage unit (just to make life more complicated the opposite is true when you pack to bring your stuff to the store – first into your van or car will be last out).

It might all seem obvious – but a little time now will almost certainly save you load of re-stacking, along with a stack load of time later.

Making room for improvements

So the planning application was finally approved, the builders are booked to start next Monday and you made sure you remembered the extra large box of teabags from the supermarket. If you’ve never had building work done you could be wondering what else there is to sort – aside from that big bag of sugar you forgot to go with the tea.

Well let’s talk about dust for a second. We’re not talking the kind of house dust that a handy can of Mr Pledge and a quick wipe over with a yellow duster can easily remedy. We’re talking building dust. A fine grey powder so hard to shift that in 2012 you‘ll still be drawing smiley faces and writing ‘459’ messages to your other half in it.

Now you could cover everything in dust-sheets and hope for the best – that the tradesman’s size 13’s don’t leave any boot shaped modifications. You could be planning to move it all to another room in the house – assuming you’re lucky enough to have a spare room (especially if you’re in London). Regardless of whether your furniture is more Chippendale than Ikea or the artwork hanging your walls more  Athena than Michael Angelo – you might want to consider moving it all somewhere safe – like into self-storage.

If you do decide short-term storage is the solution it’s worth checking the small print. Building work has a nasty habit of overrunning – so you could find yourself needing a few extra days or even a week or two. Most self-storage companies charge by the month – so a building overrun of a week will cost you an extra month of storage – whether you need it or not. Of course – at ABC Selfstore you only pay for the days you stay.

If on the other hand you decide dustsheets are the only way forward well pop in and see us – we sell them too – and here’s a link that might help with those messages in the dust.

Mayor Boris on Self Storage…

It seems even our Boris has noticed the Self Storage industry. Of  course – we know he’s missed the point that we also cater for  businesses storing stock, archiving documents, students going home for summer, people moving house, people making improvements to their house… In fact anyone with a need for more space.

But it is still well worth a read….

House hunters use self storage to bide time

Savvy house hunters and property owners are using self storage while they wait for the market to pick up – according to the Self Storage Association UK.   Pointing to evidence from their recent industry survey (carried out by Mintel) the SSA suggests people have been making the most of self storage services while they wait for the market to pick up.

Rodney Walker, CEO of SSA UK said, “The slow-down in the housing market has led consumers to turn to self storage to securely hold their items until the housing market picks up when they are able to take advantage of cheaper prices.”

The SSA also points to a second emerging trend: the use of self storage to generate income through the letting of a spare room – which it calculates could generate an UK average extra income of £4500 per year for home owners.

You can read the full Press release here

Booked it, packed it, stored it…

So the summer break is finally here, three whole months without having to study or bury your head in coursework. For some it means a summer job, for others a chance to head off traveling and see what the world has to offer.

Planning a student summer is a complicated task these days. There’s a lot to get sorted. Chances are – in amongst it all – you’ll be taking a trip on the accommodation merry-go-round, riding the carousel of lodgings. You could be heading home to your parents, trying to nab that spectacular new student pad before anyone else does, or saying ‘cheerio blighty, Sawadeeka (that’s hello) Thailand’.

Wherever it is you are going you need to think about your stuff. If you’re hot footing it back to Mum and Dad’s – can you cram it all in the Daewoo Matiz, or will there be space in train’s luggage rack for two super-sized suitcases – is it worth the hassle? If you’re lucky enough to be heading overseas you’ll need to travel light – which means finding a home for everything else while you’re gone. And however fancy that new pad, most student budgets dictate that swinging a rat will never be an option, let alone a cat.

One solution to managing your ‘stuff mountain’ is self-storage. Renting a private self-contained room – with your own padlock – that only you have access to. It’s like having your very own spare store cupboard with the added security features of a celebrity mansion.

Priya Cinar, ABC Selfstore Manager in Camden gives the following advice to students when choosing a company to store with, “Students are normally on a tight budget. So firstly, I’d say shop around – seek out the best deals – it’s a competitive market out there at the moment and there are some great deals to be found.”

“One word of caution though – beware dazzling introductory offers – check behind the small print as many operators tie you into minimum rental periods. Most storage companies have a minimum of 7 days notice – so if you’re 2 days into your 8^th week when you want to move you stuff out you’ll end up paying for 9.  That might sound like a small amount, but it could be the next round in the student bar. Some operators even require a month’s notice – so you could end up paying for your storage long after you really need it  - that would be a whole night out!”

Storage units come in a range of of sizes – so it helps to have a good idea of how much stuff you have. Any Self Storage staff worth their salt will be able to help you estimate the size room you need.  From a locker to a larger room self storage can help cut your clutter this summer.

Bicycle Safety the focus at Rotherfield Primary School – with help from ABC Selfstore

Children at Rotherfield Primary School in Islington are getting top-notch cycle safety training.  

The youngsters taking part age from 7 to 9 years old and are working towards their level 1 cycle training certificate. The training sessions are being provided by Islington Borough Council over three days from 28th – 30th April. 

 

Mick Newton, Deputy Head at Rotherfield Primary said, “We’re really into our cycling at Rotherfirled Primary. It helps the children develop in so many ways – it’s great for their balance and road awareness, keeps them fit and healthy and helps the environment as it is carbon neutral!  In amongst all of that we take the time to make sure that cycle safety is at the heart of what they learn. We’re really grateful to Islington Borough Council for their support in doing that.”

 

The children will learn all about bike safety, what to do if there is a problem with their bike and keeping themselves safe whilst riding the bike.   Richard from Islington Borough Council said, “We are delighted to be a part of helping keep children safe in Islington Borough whilst being able to contribute on techniques for safe cycling!“ 

 

The children will once again be wearing their hi-visibility vests donated by local self storage company ABC Selfstore.  Rotherfield Primary is one of only three schools in London piloting the ‘Bike it’ Chartermark – a structured awards system to help children be safety conscious whilst developing their riding ability and maintenance skills.

Harry Tee wins under 11s player of the season

Harry Tee has beaten off stiff competition to win ABC Selfstore Player of the Season for the Battersea Ironsides Mini Rugby under 11 squad. The 10 year old is one of the clubs upcoming stars who helped them reach quarter finals in the Surrey County Festival Championships in March, where they narrowly missed out on a semi-final place being beaten by Richmond on penalties. 

David Gardiner-Hill, under 11s Team Manager said, “Harry Tee thoroughly deserves this hard fought award. He’s part of a hardworking team that some of the leading rugby clubs in the country, Richmond, Effingham, Rosslyn Park and Kings Mini regard as a ‘team to beat’ in 2008/9. I want to congratulate all the 11s players on their efforts and thank the team sponsors ABC Selfstore for their support.”  He continued, “All our minis teams have made Surrey sit up and notice the new inner city kids on the block.  We’re going from strength to strength with the under 9s, 10, and 12s all of whom are also finalists at Surrey County Championship and finalists in the Harlequins Curtain Raiser Cup.”

ABC sponsors the team.  Paul Gray, Assistant Manager at ABC Selfstore, Wandsworth and a senior player at the club, said,  “ABC Selfstore have been sponsoring the Battersea Ironsides mini rugby under 11s for over three years, providing team kit and other support. I want to congratulate the whole team on their really solid showing this year and Harry Tee on winning the ABC Selfstore Player of the Season.  I’m also delighted to confirm ABC Selfstore will be sponsoring the side for the 2009/10 season.”  

The ABC selfstore blog – #1 Music for storing stuff to…

Here we go then, the very first ABC Selfstore blog. 

Let’s kick off with a bit of fun.

We noticed a few of our customers hanging out in their storage rooms with their iPods – so we got to pondering what’s the ultimate playlist for Music for storing stuff to… 

Here’s our starter for 10: 

1 – ABC – The Jackson Five (well it had to be didn’t it!)
2 - Space and Time – The Verve 
3 - I still haven’t found what I’m looking for – U2
4 – Lost! – Coldplay 
5 – Finally Found – The Honeyz 
6 – I’m not gonna take this – The Pigeon Detectives 
7 - Staple it together – Jack Johnson 
8 - Lift me up – Moby
9 – Carry you home – James Blunt
10 – I can see for miles – The Who

…give them a whirl now on Spotify