Prevent Injuries When Moving

If you have decided to forego hiring a professional mover to transfer your belongings to a storage unit, roll up your sleeves. Moving is not only physically draining — it can be risky. You might cut costs by doing the moving yourself (or with friends), but if done improperly, a visit to a doctor could be the result.

Here are some tips to prevent injuries on moving day:

Back Injuries

Back strains are painful, and can cause long-term physical problems. The back is usually the first to suffer when moving items to a storage unit or new location:

• Bend knees. Squatting distributes the weight of an item to the torso, legs, and thighs, rather than placing the stress on the back alone.
• Try a “reacher tool.” Use a tool to reach for lighter items at the bottom of the lowest drawer or in a cupboard — without having to bend.
• Use a forearm forklift. This tool allows you to become your very own forklift, so you don’t have to bear the entire weight of an item you’re lifting.
• Avoid overloading boxes. Packing boxes to the brim to save on space may be tempting, but this is a risky decision to make. Lifting heavy, overstuffed boxes can cause back strains or foot injuries.

Hand and Foot Injuries

When belongings drop from hands or boxes, hands and feet can suffer. Here are some ways to prevent injury:

• Cut nails short. To keep a firm grip, short nails are key. Long nails break (painfully) and can cause you to drop fragile (or heavy) items.
• Wear gloves. Work gloves are designed to protect hands from scratches and cuts. They’re made with heavy-duty materials and often have rubber grips to prevent items from slipping from your hands.
• Wear safety shoes. Open-toe sandals or flip-flops are a definite “no-no” when transferring property to a storage unit. Not only can exposed feet be cut or injured, you might trip and end your moving experience in the emergency room.

It is worth investing in a secure storage facility unit to hold your possessions — it’s equally important to protect yourself while moving them there. Centron Storage is a storage unit provider in North York; you can count on us to keep your items safe. Call us today at (647) 749-1394 to secure the right unit for your storage needs.

How Storage Units Reflect Canada’s Changing Times

According to the Canadian Self-Storage Association, there are about 3,000 self storage facilities in Canada, a number that grew rapidly over the last ten years. Storage is a booming business, fuelled by several factors that reflect the changing attitudes Canadians have about storage units. We explore these changes below:

• Rise of Condos

Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have over 53.5% of households living in condominiums, according to the 2011 Household Survey. New Canadians may opt for smaller domestic spaces, but need storage space provided elsewhere. For those who choose to downsize from a large home, seasonal clothes, equipment, furniture, and other home appliances may need space until residents are able to redistribute those items or can access them later. 

• Changing Workforce

The change in Canada’s business landscape also contributed to the increasing need for self storage spaces. Businesses see an opportunity to store business tools and equipment rather than renting out larger office and warehouse space to accommodate these items.

With the rise in young, transient workers living in Canada, storage units are a viable option to store belongings for short-term. Seasonal workers rent storage units to keep belongings that may not fit in their living quarters. 

• Modernization of Storage Units

With climate control and security features, technological advances have changed people’s attitudes toward renting storage. Innovative measures to ensure that items are protected in modern storage units is a reflection of growing trends in Canada.

Professional storage facilities make self storage a popular option in modern-day Canada. Count on the reliable services of Centron Storage; call (647) 749-1397 and we’ll gladly give you a tour of your local facility. Clients have trusted us for over 25 years.

Prohibited Items in Self Storage Units

While your storage unit is your personal space to protect property and provide additional space in your home, not everything you own belongs there. Storage facilities have rules regarding certain items and prohibit a number of things that could damage both your assets and other people’s belongings, or pose a danger to the facility itself. Here are some typical materials that are not allowed in storage units:

Animals

Whether dead or alive, animals are prohibited in storage units. Using a storage unit as a puppy (or other animal) farm or as an area to keep exotic animals is illegal. Keeping preserved animals (i.e. taxidermy) attracts pests that could ruin items and spread to other storage units.

 Items That Attract Insects/Rodents

Fresh food and inappropriately packaged food items are not allowed in storage units; they could invite infestation. This list includes some other items you might not realize attract pests:

• Corkboard
• Scented Candles
• Food items (especially beans and rice — even when bagged)
• Plants, seeds, soil
• Animal Feed/Birdseed
• Water containers
• Fruit boxes
• Plastic grocery bags
• Paper items that are not boxed properly (paper needs to be stored in boxes with all sides tightly taped shut)
• Foam in furniture, mattresses, pillows (stored foam needs the correct plastic cover and proper sealing)

 Unregistered Vehicles

Any vehicle that is permitted for storage needs proof of registration and other paperwork before it can be granted entrance into the facility. Storage units, generally, do not provide insurance for vehicles.

Flammable Items

Combustible items put your belongings and the entire storage facility at a high risk. Flammable items can cause a fire or explosion and do not belong in a storage unit:

• Propane tanks
• Aerosol cans
• Jerry cans
• Gasoline
• Oil
• Paint
• Explosives
• Fireworks
• Kerosene Lamps
• Fertilizer
• Asbestos or any item containing asbestos

Storage units keep your belongings safe from damage or theft, and each renter has a responsibility to abide by the rules. Centron Storage is your trusted neighbourhood storage center in North York, providing over 25 years of service. Please call us at (647) 749-1395 to find the best storage solutions for you.

Three Ways Self-Storage Can Revamp Your Holiday Home

As we approach the holiday season, retailers bring out innovative and fun decorations and it’s difficult not to bring home new twinkly lights, ornaments, and displays for the interior and exterior of our homes. TV advertisements, magazines, and social media sites are bursting with inspiring ideas for unique and gorgeous decor. But where do we store all of our new adornments, while keeping the tried-and-true, sentimental ones?

To make your home holiday-ready, you might need some extra space to showcase your festive decor. Where do you move a piece of furniture to make room for a tree? Where do you store your bins and belongings once the holidays are past? Rent a self-storage unit, of course!

Here are a few ways a self-storage unit can help you have festive home that Martha Stewart would envy:

Hide Gifts in a Safe Spot

If you want to keep holiday gifts a surprise for family members, hiding them around the house might prove confounding. To keep curiosity and snooping at bay this holiday season, tuck your presents into a secure storage unit instead. 

Free Space for Holiday Decor

Storage units come in many different sizes, so you can rent one specifically for holiday-themed decorations. Keep them in the unit and label bins and boxes for “Halloween,” “Thanksgiving,” “Winter Holidays,” “Valentine’s Day,” “Easter,” “Canada Day,” etc. Place the bins you just used near the back of the unit and rotate the next holiday’s decor forward. This way, your house won’t be cluttered with items you only use once a year. 

Clear Out a Room for Guests

Instead of using a spare room or basement as a storage area, why not keep it clear for guests? Holidays often bring friends and family come to visit. Maximize your time with them by having them stay in your home, instead of searching for a hotel or bed and breakfast.

A storage unit is a secure and economical option for holiday storage. Centron Storage provides value with the state-of-the-art security and trained staff to make sure that your belongings are safe. Call us at (647) 749-1395 today to discuss the size of self-storage unit you require.

Store a Mattress the Right Way and Extend Its Life

A good mattress affects your spinal health and how well you sleep. A good mattress can be pricey, but can serve you well for several years. Important purchases, when we need to store them during a move or until we have space for them, need to be prepared properly to stay in top condition. To store a mattress the right way so you can continue enjoying it when it’s out of storage, read these tips:

Transport it Properly

Getting your mattress from home to the storage unit needs to be properly done, or it could suffer damage well before it gets there. Prevent tying your mattress to the top of a car. This will likely warp its shape and potentially damage it. Transporting a mattress via truck or van is the best way to go, as it can lie fully flat inside. Wrap your mattress in a protective cover before laying it on the vehicle floor. A sheet or plastic wrap (used for furniture moving) will keep your mattress clean and protect the fabric from scrapes and tears.

Store it Flat

A mattress is made up of many coils, springs, and padding. Storing a mattress on its side (especially for a long period of time) will allow these components to shift and disfigure the mattress. Storing it on its side can also cause the spring to dislodge, and could potentially hurt a person when they lie on top.

Don’t Pile/Stack Objects

 Stacking other items on the mattress will most likely push down its interior components, leading to a mattress with uneven surfaces. Laying your mattress on other lumpy objects is also not a good idea, as they’ll disfigure the mattress from underneath. 

Get Your Mattress a Cover

It is also important to keep your mattress clean while in storage, so wrapping it in a breathable mattress cover and placing it on a crate or pallet can protect it from dust and stains.

For a trusted storage unit provider in the North York area, call Centron Storage. We want to help you keep your mattresses and other items safe and in good condition for the length of their stay with us. For affordable storage solutions, call us at (647) 749-1394 today.

Prevent Cold Weather Damage to Your Stored Motorcycle

Cruising on your motorcycle during the summer months can be exhilarating. But when fall and winter eventually start to set in, it’s a often good idea to keep your motorcycle in storage until the weather is less damaging to your ride, and less dangerous for you.

Putting your motorcycle in storage does not mean stowing it away and forgetting about it until you are ready to ride. Prepping your prized possession so it’s in tip top shape while in storage is as important as  regular maintenance. To avoid damage to your stored motorcycle, follow these easy tips to protect it during colder temperatures:

Fill the tank.

Topping up the gas tank prevents machine deterioration and a nasty layer of gunk forming on the carburetor. Adding fuel stabilizer is another preventative measure; run the engine to allow the fluid to cycle through the machine.

Check fluids.

Re-check the bike’s brake, clutch, and coolant fluids before storing. Refill or replace them if necessary. Draining them entirely before storing is another option, which can prevent machine damage during storage.

Get the tires off the ground.

Creating the right setup so that your motorcycle’s tires don’t touch the ground is an ideal scenario to take the weight off while the bike stands for a few months.

Park in a cool, dark corner.

Direct sunlight can lead to leather peeling or fading paint. If your storage unit has a window, park your motorcycle in the area where sunlight won’t hit it. Better yet — cover it.

Once you’ve read and followed these tips, you can trust your motorcycle will be ready to run come springtime. For secure storage units in North York, call Centron Storage at (647) 749-1397.We’ll be happy to discuss motorcycle storage options with you.

Properly Cover Furniture before Using Self-Storage

Maybe your furniture no longer fits your design, or you’ve downsized, but you don’t want to sell or give it away just yet. There are many reasons to keep your extra furniture in a secure storage unit.

If you make the choice to hang onto some loved pieces, it’s important to prep them for storage so they’ll be in good condition later. A few tasks include:

• Wiping off any dust and dirt
• Covering pieces with the right material
• Keep furniture from water and other damaging environments

Keep in mind the following tips when you store anything for future use:

Coat Fragile Parts with Bubble Wrap

Some parts of furniture might be more delicate than others. They may need extra care to avoid sustaining any chips or scratches during the moving process.

Bubble wrap works wonders in this situation.

Cover fragile parts with sturdy bubble wrap to give it a strong layer of defense.

Give Them Some Breathing Room

Plastic covers may seem like a good way to repel things like liquid spills or dust. The downside to its use is that it isn’t breathable. Furniture needs air. Plastic keeps out oxygen, which your furniture’s materials need to stay in good shape. Lack of oxygen can cause damage and condensation.

Use Fitting Covers

When you’ve found some cloth covers for armoires, dressers, sofas, tables, and chairs, there’s another factor to consider: the fit. Cover your pieces too tightly and you compromise the furniture’s breathability. If they’re too loose, you lose any protection the cover may offer. The length is also important. Talk to your local hardware or furniture store for recommendations and find the best fitting covers you can.

Storing your furniture properly is vital to keeping cherished pieces looking their best. Centron Storage has been in the business of storage unit solutions for over 25 years, with more than 15,000 renters who testify to our secure and trusted service.

For inquiries, call (647) 749-1395 when in North York.

Smart Strategies to Create an Item Inventory Before Storage

Just because you’ve rented your own storage unit does not mean your belongings will be hidden there forever. Sometimes, you will need access to some things. You won’t want to dive through everything to find a single item. How do you avoid that hassle? Here are some tips to make it easier for you.

Plan Ahead

Creating a concrete plan before chucking every item you own into a new storage unit allows you to find belongings more efficiently. Here are some tried and true tips on how to get the most out of your storage space:

• Classify items by season, activity, or size. Store winter clothing and items together, place furniture around the perimeter or in one specific area.

• Mark every box or container. Labeling containers “kitchenware” or “baby clothes” will make it easier to locate items. Transparent plastic boxes will allow you to see inside, but make sure items that need to breathe are in labeled cardboard boxes.

• Place regularly items within easy reach. Decide what you need more often and position those things nearest to the storage unit door.

• Consider your vertical space. The height of your storage unit is “prime real estate,” and many unit renters fail to utilize this significant amount of space. Placing standing shelves in the space allows you to maximize your rental.

Personalize Your Inventory

After categorizing items, keep a record which ones were put in each box, and their placement location in the unit. Digital spreadsheets are easy to create, but handwritten ones will do just as well. Keep the following information:

• Item description

• Item category

• Item seasonality

• Date the item was stored

• Location of the item in the unit

Storage units not only help people de-clutter their homes, they keep valuables secure. Centron Storage has ample space and strong security for all your keepsakes. For inquiries, call (647) 749-1396 for North York residents.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering

If you want to live a clutter-free home or office space, there are some questions to ask and a couple hard truths to face. Answer these following questions as truthfully as possible and a clutter-free space could be in your horizon.

1. When was the last time I actually used this?

Storage experts believe that the most distant answer to this question should be “five months.” If this item has not been appreciated, touched, or seen the light of day in more than 150 days, this item has to go. Most household belongings that this question applies to are clothes and random keepsakes. Finding it hard to let go of your kid’s painting from preschool 10 years ago? A digital copy can be made to create actual room in your home instead.

2. What purpose does it serve in my room/home/life?

To reduce clutter, almost every item must not only be aesthetically-pleasing, but serve at least a couple purposes. Utilitarianism is the name of the game in determining if an item deserves to stay.

3. Does this item make me happy?

Decluttering is in no way an authoritarian process. Leaving room for things that make you happy or take you back down memory lane is appropriate, just make sure not to let the tendency to be a “packrat” derail overall objective. Items that hold a high value in your life and remind you of special events make a home more personal and special, so do leave room for these. Just don’t let them take over the entire house.

For everything else that you want to keep (or only use seasonally) but just can’t find space, a safe and secure storage unit is your best bet. Centron Self Storage can accommodate a variety of storage needs for winter and summer sporting equipment, documents, home furnishings, or business items. Call us at (647) 749-1395 in North York.