6 Strategies to Protect Your Storage Facility

Self-storage facilities provide flexible, secure, and accessible storage solutions for 13.5 million American households. Protecting storage facilities is essential to prevent external theft and maintain customer trust. Explore six strategies to safeguard your storage facility and how to address your specific security challenges.

The Importance of Security for Self-Storage Facilities

The importance of storage unit theft prevention measures can’t be overstated. There are a few reasons why almost 5,000 rental storage facilities make attractive targets for theft every year:

• Remote locations: Many storage facilities are in less populated or industrial areas. This makes them less visible and more isolated, which attracts criminal activity.
• Inconsistent security measures: Some facilities have inadequate security measures in place. Criminals exploit these gaps, believing they can operate without being detected.
• Valuable items: Storage units contain various valuable items like electronics, antiques, furniture, and important documents. This variety makes them appealing targets for thieves looking for easily sellable goods.
• Unattended access points: Many storage facilities allow tenants to access their units at all hours. This results in times when access points may be left unattended.
• Blind spots: Poorly designed layouts or inadequate camera coverage create blind spots that criminals can exploit to go undetected.
• Low risk of confrontation: With few or no staff present, criminals face a lower risk of confrontation when attempting to commit theft. The time it takes law enforcement to respond gives thieves a head start to escape with stolen property.
• Anonymity of customers: Many customers use storage facilities temporarily or infrequently. This makes it challenging for facility operators to know the identities and intentions of everyone accessing the units. Some thieves even rent units using fake identities to store what they steal.
• Vulnerable access points and locks: Some storage facilities have multiple access points, including gates and entry doors.

6 Storage Facility Protection Strategies

Effective storage facility theft prevention strategies involve physical measures, technology solutions, and operational practices. Here’s a list of actions to take to maximize your storage facility security.

1. Learn the Potential Security Risks of Your Self-Storage Business 

While self-storage facilities offer valuable services, they can present several potential security risks. The best way to identify vulnerabilities or gaps in your current security setup is to conduct a threat assessment.

When thieves attempt to break into storage facilities, they cause various types of damage. It’s important to familiarize yourself with risk trends and techniques to ensure your strategy can keep pace. Consider the following theft trends and challenges:

• Physical damage to property: If a facility only has chain-link fencing, thieves try to cut or climb over it. Break-ins also involve breaking windows or forced entry by damaging doors and locks. These can all lead to significant repair or replacement costs.
• Vandalism: Thieves sometimes vandalize the facility by spray painting walls, breaking signage, or damaging landscaping. Afterward, facilities are left with costly clean-up and restoration efforts.
• Fraudulent rentals: Individuals may rent storage units under false pretenses, often with the intent to store stolen property or commit theft. Criminals often use stolen or fabricated IDs and credit card information to rent a unit.
• Tailgating: Tailgating occurs when unauthorized individuals follow authorized people into a facility. Usually, they wait for tenants or employees to enter through a secure gate. They may also create distractions to divert attention while they sneak in.
• Easy access to units: Storage units tend to have thin walls that are easy to break through. As a result, thieves can attempt to breach multiple units that are adjacent to each other. Criminals may also climb over fencing or walls to access other units.
• Increased insurance costs: Break-ins lead to insurance claims, which will likely increase premiums for the facility in the future.
• Loss of customer trust: A security breach results in tenants losing their trust and confidence in the facility’s ability to safeguard their belongings. This can cause decreased occupancy rates and have a negative impact on revenue.

2. Invest in Customer and Staff Education

Enhance the security of your storage facility by investing in tenant and staff education. You’ll foster a culture of awareness and vigilance with thorough training, signage, and resources. Doing this will help prevent external theft as well as other security incidents. 

During employee and customer training, focus on these topics:

• Access rules: Install clear signs at entry points that outline access rules, including hours of operation and who may enter. Provide a clear overview of these rules to customers using brochures or welcome packets. Conduct regular training sessions with staff to ensure they understand the access policies.
• Locks: Educate tenants on the importance of choosing high-quality locks for their storage units. Provide information on recommended lock types, too.
• Access systems: Train staff on the protocols for issuing access codes or fobs. Include information about how to deactivate them for former tenants or unauthorized users. You can also provide customers with written instructions on how to use the facility’s access systems, including applicable security tips.
• Insurance coverage: Provide informational sessions or brochures detailing insurance options and the benefits of coverage for stored items. Consider partnering with insurance companies to offer discounted rates for your tenants.
• Detailed record-keeping: Teach employees how to keep accurate records, including customer information, rental agreements, and access logs. 
• Regular inventory checks: Implement a schedule for routine audits of stored items. This will encourage staff to conduct checks regularly and report any discrepancies immediately.
• Signs of fraudulent activity: Inform tenants about common scams and train staff on how to spot signs of fraudulent activity. This training should include recognizing fake IDs during the rental process.
• Recognizing suspicious behavior: Conduct training on how to identify suspicious behavior, such as loitering or unusual requests for access. This training should include practical scenarios and role-playing exercises.
• Reporting procedures: Establish clear reporting procedures for both staff and customers. Let them know how to report theft or suspicious activity so they can escalate concerns right away. Display your business’s contact information prominently in common areas.

3. Control Access With Perimeter Security Solutions 

The best way to keep criminals out is to stop them before they get on the property. Controlling access with perimeter security solutions enhances the safety and security of self-storage facilities. It deters unauthorized entry while protecting the property and valuables stored within.

Here are several strategies and technologies to help control access to your storage facility:

• Electric fencing: Install electric fencing around the perimeter to deter unauthorized access. Many fences use pulsed electricity to deliver a safe but memorable shock to anyone trying to get through or over. Install them as standalone deterrents or integrate them with other solutions and upgrades for full-scale perimeter security. 
• Access control at gates: Use secure, access-controlled gates at all entry points. Gates can be automated and equipped with various access control technologies to restrict entry. With an access control system, you have better control of your entry and exit points.
• Bollards: Security bollards add physical strength to your perimeter. They’re placed strategically to help deter theft as well as protect your building, equipment, and fencing.

4. Enhance Storage Unit Protection With Integrated Security Layers 

A layered physical security strategy works best to enhance your storage unit security. It involves implementing a variety of measures, including advanced technologies and human oversight. Each layer plays a role in protecting your facility.

Here’s how to introduce integrated security options:

• Surveillance cameras: Surveillance cameras are a critical component of any comprehensive security system. Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are remotely controlled to pan across a wide area, tilt up and down, and zoom in on specific subjects. Thermal cameras can detect heat signatures to detect thieves in low-light conditions or complete darkness. Some cameras are equipped with motion detection, while others have license plate recognition (LPR) technology. Ensure your cameras are connected to a cloud-based system for remote viewing and management.
• Lighting: Good lighting around your facility deters criminal activity and improves visibility for surveillance systems. Ensure all areas are well-lit with bright, durable lighting around the perimeter. Use motion sensors to activate lights when movement is detected. Some lighting systems trigger alarms to draw attention to the breach.
• Guards: Employ trained security guards to patrol the facility and monitor surveillance feeds. Their presence can deter criminal activity and provide immediate response capabilities in case of an incident. In addition, mobile patrols should be implemented to check the premises regularly to increase coverage.
• Fencing enhancements: Add enhancements to your electric fencing to create a secondary barrier. For example, angled fencing prevents thieves from climbing and tossing goods over the fence. Lay-down fencing extends the lower portion of fencing and eliminates access by digging.
• Ground wire monitoring: Ground wire monitoring complements other security systems to detect unauthorized movement or tampering at the perimeter. This option triggers alarms when the perimeter is disturbed.

5. Work Closely With Your Community 

Foster relationships within your community to enhance security around your self-storage business. Consider taking the following approaches:

• Take stock of existing landscaping and fencing: Design your environment to promote visibility and discourage criminal activity. Avoid tall hedges or barriers that obstruct sightlines. Opt for low landscaping and transparent fencing to increase visibility around the facility at night.
• Join neighborhood watch programs: Encourage local residents to form or join neighborhood watch programs. These groups can help monitor the area and report suspicious activity.
• Build community awareness: Encouraging community involvement will enhance the safety of your storage facility and surrounding areas. Distribute newsletters or use social media to engage with your community. You can use these platforms to share information about security initiatives, events, and safety tips.
• Collaborate with law enforcement: Establishing a strong relationship with local law enforcement will enhance security and build trust within the community. Discuss crime trends, share concerns, and collaborate on community policing initiatives with local police or sheriff’s departments. This can help law enforcement understand the unique needs of your facility and the surrounding area. You can even offer to give them a tour so they are familiar with the layout of your property.
• Create a community security network: Collaborate with nearby businesses to establish a mutual support network, whether via a group chat or email list. Share information about security incidents and collaborate on safety initiatives.
• Support local initiatives: Engaging in and supporting local initiatives will help build goodwill as well as strengthen community ties. Sponsor local events, sports teams, or community projects. You can also encourage staff to participate in local volunteer programs or community service initiatives.
• Encourage customer interaction: Encourage your guards and staff to interact with customers to foster a sense of community and vigilance. Doing so is also useful for identifying unusual behavior or unauthorized individuals.

6. Partner With a Security Solutions Provider

Partnering with a security solutions provider offers numerous benefits for storage facility operators, including:

• Industry knowledge: Security solutions providers that specialize in the self-storage industry understand its unique challenges and security needs. They’ll provide insights into industry best practices and ensure your security measures are up to date.
• Comprehensive security solutions: You need integrated security solutions that combine various technologies to create a cohesive, multi-layered security strategy. Having a reliable security partner can help you scale your security solutions to meet any changing needs, including expansions.
• Advanced technology: Security providers work with the latest technologies. They ensure that your systems are regularly updated and maintained, reducing the risk of technology failures and vulnerabilities.
• Customized security plans: An experienced security partner will assess your facility’s specific vulnerabilities and create tailored security plans that address those weaknesses.
• Regulatory knowledge: You need a partner that understands the regulations and standards relevant to the self-storage industry. Your security provider should help you maintain compliance and assist with documentation related to security measures necessary for insurance purposes.

Partner With AMAROK for Tailored Storage Security Solutions

Eliminate the need for guards and enhance the overall security of your self-storage business with AMAROK. After installing The Electric Guard Dog™ Fence and other perimeter security solutions, 99% of AMAROK customers experience zero external theft. These powerful security measures deter potential thieves from attempting to enter your storage facility.

When you partner with AMAROK, you can protect your customers’ property as well as your revenue and reputation. The average AMAROK customer saves $120,000 annually when they replace 24/7 security guards with our systems. Unlimited maintenance and repair services are included as part of the monthly subscription fee for zero cost of ownership.

To learn more about how AMAROK can help your storage facility, give us a call at (800) 432-6391. You can also find an AMAROK perimeter security expert near you to discuss the best security solution for your needs.