How Secure Is Self Storage, Really?
28 August 2025
Home / How Secure Is Self Storage, Really?
If you’re planning to store anything valuable — from tools and equipment to business stock or family heirlooms — your first concern is likely: how secure is self storage, really?
The good news? Modern storage facilities are designed with safety at the core. With features like 24/7 CCTV, secure locks, fire protection systems and pest control, they offer a highly effective storage solution for both individuals and businesses.
In this guide, we unpack common risks, safety measures to look out for, and proactive tips to keep your goods safe and your mind at ease.
Are Storage Units Safe?
Yes — self storage units today are safer than ever. Unlike garages, sheds or attics, professional storage facilities are purpose-built to protect your belongings. For example, if you’re a plumber, electrician or tradesperson leaving tools in your van overnight, self storage significantly reduces the risk of tool theft and environmental damage. That’s why so many now opt for secure, off-site tool storage.
Most offer:
- Individually alarmed units
- Controlled entry with PIN or card access
- Constant video surveillance
What Are the Biggest Risks at a Self Storage Facility?

1. Fire Hazards
Although rare, fires are a serious concern. Faulty electricals, smoking or arson can all trigger them.
Reputable facilities use:
- Smoke detectors and alarms
- Fire-resistant materials
- Routine safety inspections
These systems make self storage far safer than ad hoc home storage solutions.
2. Theft or Break-Ins
Like any location that holds valuables, storage centres may attract thieves. However, modern units use high-level deterrents:
- Round-the-clock CCTV
- Controlled access systems
- Alarmed units with secure locks
3. Extreme Weather
Flooding or damp can ruin stored items.
High-quality units are:
- Properly insulated
- Located away from flood zones
- Designed for temperature and humidity control
This keeps your business storage in good condition year-round.
4. Pest Infestation
Rodents and insects can pose a threat.
That’s why professional facilities use:
- Preventative pest control
- Regular inspections
- Sealed units and good ventilation
So, whether you’re storing toolboxes, stock or keepsakes, you can rest easy.
What Are the Most Important Safety Features at a Storage Facility?

Before renting a unit, ask about these must-haves:
- CCTV surveillance across key areas
- Electronic access control (PIN or fob)
- Well-lit interiors and exteriors
- Fire extinguishers and alarms
- Regular site patrols or monitored alarms
What Should You Not Leave in a Storage Unit?
To ensure the safety of your items — and everyone else’s — avoid storing:
- Flammable liquids or gas canisters
- Perishable food or plants
- Live animals
- Illegal items like firearms or drugs
If in doubt, ask your storage provider before packing.
How To Protect Items in Self Storage
Want extra peace of mind? Here’s how to get it:
1. Choose the Right Facility
Not all storage companies are created equal.
Prioritise:
- Strong access control
- Secure units with personal locks
- Staffed reception or monitored access
2. Use Quality Packing Materials
Protect your items from dust and damage with:
- Sturdy boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Moisture absorbers
Need supplies? Visit the Wigwam packaging shop online or in-store.
3. Label and Inventory Everything
- Mark all boxes clearly
- Note fragile items
- Keep a digital or printed inventory
This is helpful for both day-to-day operations and insurance.
4. Store Items Off the Floor
Use pallets or shelving to:
- Avoid water damage
- Improve airflow
- Prevent mould and condensation
5. Insure Your Belongings
For total security, opt in to Wigwam’s contents protection.
Learn more in our guide: Self Storage Insurance UK: What You Need To Know.
Rent Secure Storage Units with Wigwam

Whether you need business storage for storing tools, excess stock and inventory, or just personal treasures, secure storage units can make a real difference.
At Wigwam, our modern, accessible self storage locations across the UK provide reliable protection for what matters most. From flexible rental terms to 24/7 access, we offer flexible solutions for every lifestyle or business need.
- CCTV & access control
- Alarmed units
- Flexible agreements
- Contents protection
- Expert advice from a friendly team
Want to know more about how we secure your belongings at Wigwam? Visit our FAQs for more insight.
Ready to store with confidence? Get a quote now or give us a call today.
Simon Fothergill has more than 20 years of experience in the UK self storage industry and is Managing Director of Wigwam Storage.He writes practical, easy-to-follow advice to help customers make the most of self storage, whether they are moving house, decluttering, renovating, storing business stock or simply needing extra space.With a long background in self storage operations and customer service, Simon shares useful self storage tips, packing advice and storage solutions designed to make storage simple, flexible and stress-free.
Customer Reviews

Clean, secure, easy access storage facilities at a very good price, would recommend to anyone. Keep up the good work all.
Lenny was not only very efficient and kind, he explained everything clearly making the whole process stress free.
I started by visiting the website, which was easy to navigate and helped me determine the right unit size.
After submitting my details, I received a follow-up call during which all my questions were answered professionally.
The units are clean and well maintained, and having a personal access code made it easy to visit at a time that suited me.
The team here is genuinely lovely and professional.
Thank you for looking after me — highly recommended!
location. Good access in opening hours using the App. (Be prepared to check mail filter if the initial email giving access to the App and hence to your store does not seem to come through.) Clean, well lit. Kasey gave a very helpful introduction and registration process.

I've never used self storage before so it was all new to me but Wigwam have made it so intuitive and simple to use. You download the app which gives you easy Bluetooth access to the entire building. I've only used the facility out of office hours and it was all so easy. There are flat bed trolleys, a pump truck and a sack truck to make moving your items hassle free. Safe, secure storage, easy to use, accessible until 10pm and reasonable prices. Top marks all round.
I'd recommended Wigwam to anyone wanting self storage.


Lenny called as soon as I emailed and was extremely helpful on making this process quick and easy so i could get into the unit the next day.
there was an issue with the app when i went to use the unit but i emailed Lenny and he rang back within 5 mins and managed to resolve the issue very quickly.
would recommend and thanks to Lenny for making the process smooth.
Units are clean and well maintained with easy access.
Many thanks!! 😊
Peter & Heather
Set up went well and app appears to work well and is easy to use.
Cheers

Containers are amazing excellent lighting and very clean.
Thank you Lenny 👍xx
Wigwam are highly recommended by me!
I can’t recommend Wigwam Storage in Lincoln highly enough. From start to finish, the whole experience was fantastic. Every member of the team was incredibly helpful, friendly, and professional — nothing was too much trouble, and they genuinely went out of their way to make the process easy and stress-free.
The facility itself is excellent: clean, secure, well-maintained, and clearly run with a lot of care. It’s obvious they take real pride in what they do, and that gives you total peace of mind when storing your belongings.
If you’re looking for a reliable storage facility in Lincoln with an amazing team and top-quality facilities, Wigwam Storage is the place to go. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again and will happily recommend them to anyone.
Would recommend to everyone.
The signing up process was easy, and the service from the staff was speedy, friendly, helpful and professional.
The app used to access the premises was easy to use and gave added assurance of the security of my items.
Once inside the premises were modern, clean, well lit, and directions to the storage unit were clear and easy to follow…. Even the lift had step by step instructions!
All in all a fantastic company and storage facility.
Thank you!


The customer service is second to none, and facilities utterly perfect.
11 out of 10.

I was very impressed everything is via the app and that side of things is very responsive and I have had no issues so far.
They even play the radio in there.
Holly was an absolute star, we were panicking as we were in the middle of our house moving and needed a quick storage area. Less then an hour after our first call we were already putting boxes to our Storage.
The site is nice and clean, the entry system is truly clever and makes the storage Access easy and quick.
Customer service is top notch 👌
They talked me through the entering and exiting the facility. Jess was outstanding dealing with all the paperwork quickly and me being forgetful and dim.
Thank you very much, hopefully I won't set any alarms off again


My one suggestion is to extend the timers on the doors when entering the storage unit as sometimes it enough time to unload big deliveries onto a trolley and get back to the unit building before the doors close!
All in all, AMAZING company! Couldn’t recommend more :)


All the staff are very helpful and friendly highly recommended
Access is available 6am to 10pm

System 4 Stars
Sarah 5 Stars

The whole experience was excellent.
TheWigwam staff saw the shipment into the storage unit for us and made it all as simple as is possible when moving home and countries at the same time.
The storage building is well organised, clean, tidy, secure and access was available everyday for a significant number of hours.
Most of all ,the staff were kind, concerned, helpful and friendly. as anyone using the storage facility will learn.
Mary Welstead

Staff were very helpful on the phone setting everything up and compared to other units in Alton Wigwam are very reasonably priced.
Would definitely recommend them
Highly recommend this storage facility to anyone looking for safe, affordable, and hassle-free storage in Bath!



Much Appreciated ☺️
I’d highly recommend them to anyone!

Great service for a great price. Highly recommend.










Very happy client so far, thanks to Lenny and team 🙏😃


The units are easy to access, they are spacious and clean. I have a lot of camping equipment plus all my Xmas decorations (I have a lot) in the winter we will also be storing our hot tub. We also have lots of stuff that was the children’s when they were growing up. It has given us the spare room back at the house.
Staff are always polite friendly and very helpful.





The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Thank you Lenny for dealing with our emergency fast and supportive,

For full disclosure, we've only just rented the unit and filled it up, but the experience so far has been great. Response times to emails and helpfulness of staff has been excellent.
Thankyou
I would highly recommend .

Would highly recommend.
Beautifully clean facilities, fully automated access. Ample parking and menouvering space for cars and vans.
So easy to use the storage unit.
Thank you to Wigwam self storage Lincoln.
5*****
My wife and I moved back and forth between Cheltenham and other European countries during our two months long trip, Mr.Harrison( Kasey) supported us friendly and professionally.
We will definitely use it again next time.
See you !
We needed sudden storage after selling our parents’ house. I stopped in at the Bromsgrove branch and found it unmanned, (which I now know is normal).
I rang the number and spoke to an extremely helpful employee who offered me immediate, remote access to the building and let me see inside two different sized units.
After that, the set up was extremely quick!
I applied in the morning and was able to drop stuff off the same day. Everything is activated by an app on your phone but staff can be contacted by phone if needed.
On my second visit (after lots of rain) I did notice a pool of water not far from my unit. I rang up and by next day it had been sorted. No recurrence.
I am really happy with the unit and the excellent service.
Lift so you don’t have to struggle in and out with your things lots of parking too
The best thing that made me hire space is the ladies in reception they were so accommodating and helpful so thank you
I hired storage for my daughter to store all her Uni belongings while she was away for the summer.
Sasha provided excellent friendly service. Always at hand to help with any questions from the beginning to the end of our contract.
Great value for money.
Thank you Sascha.
Helen was efficient, proactive, enthusiastic, engaging and more importantly had a great sense of humour.
You could not ask more of a person or company.
Thank you.
Highly recommend this company
Would definitely recommend.

