Portable storage containers are an easy, affordable, and convenient solution for storing your belongings or moving them from one location to another. The spacious containers along with ground level access, make them an ideal solution for all of your moving and storage needs. As convenient as these containers are, it is also important to follow these important tips to ensure maximum efficiency and safety.

Use the Right Tools

Any time you are loading storage container it is important to have the right tools handy so you can do the job safely and efficiently. Before you grab some friends and attempt to lift heavy furniture and appliances into the storage container, you need to think about a safer option. Heavy lifting can easily result in injury, so it is best to make sure you have a dolly and loading straps on hand. This will allow you to move heavy items much easier and will also prevent them from falling over and getting damaged. I

Load Heavy Items First

The heaviest and bulkiest items should always be packed first in the storage container. This includes items like a couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, loveseat, etc. Once these items are loaded inside, you can fill in the empty spaces with packed boxes. In addition to helping you maximize space in the storage container, this method of packing will also prevent large and heavy items from shifting around and even falling over, as this could pose a safety threat to you and your belongings.

Install Loading Straps

No matter how well you pack your items in a storage container, there is always a risk of items getting jostled around during transport. For this reason, it is important to secure any large or heavy items with loading straps. In addition to preventing your belongings from getting damaged, these straps also ensure safer loading and unloading because you wouldn’t want loose or unsecured items to fall on you while you are inside the portable storage container.

Avoid Packing Certain Items

In order to protect your belongings and the people loading and unloading them, some items are prohibited from being stored in a portable storage container. Some items pose a fire safety hazard because they are highly flammable. These include items such as gasoline, propane tanks, oil, cleaning solvents, paint, corrosives, fireworks and explosives, and even batteries. Radioactive materials are obviously prohibited and no one should have exposure to them. Firearms are not allowed in storage containers because no matter how cautious you are, accidents can and do happen. Finally, avoid packing perishable goods, as these would not be safe to consume after being kept in a storage container.