If you’re in the process of moving or you’re looking to declutter your office, finding a secure place to store important paper documents is a top priority. As you relocate paperwork to a storage unit, here are a few recommendations to ensure these documents stay safe.

4 Paper Document Storage Tips

1. Create Digital Backups

During busy seasons, you may not have time to visit your storage unit to locate a particular document. For security and added convenience, make digital copies and save them on an external hard drive before storing the physical paperwork away. Having this backup alleviates stress, ensures you never lose a document, and helps with workflow when you need to quickly review a contract or file. 

2. Organize

Loose papers and stacks of folders can make finding critical information challenging. Before transitioning to self-storage, create an organizational system. Divide documents alphabetically, chronologically, or by project, depending on what you’re storing. This will help maintain order and speed up the process when searching for a particular item. 

3. Opt for Climate Control

To ensure paper materials are protected and remain intact, find a facility that offers climate-controlled storage units. With this type of solution, you won’t have to worry about humidity, moisture, and extreme temperatures negatively impacting the quality of your files. 

4. Invest in Protective Filing Systems

Once you’ve organized your documents into files and folders, invest in protective casings to ensure these materials are safe in the event of exposure to moisture, dust, and outside elements. Stainless steel filing cabinets, metal storage bins, or fire-proof boxes can all help your documents survive a natural disaster or unpredictable accident.

If you’re looking for a secure, climate-controlled storage unit to house important documents, visit CJ’s Storage in Columbia Falls, MT. Residents and business owners across Flathead County, Kalispell, Columbia Falls, and the Whitefish area have trusted this facility to provide safe, affordable, and flexible solutions for over 15 years. To discuss their current availability, call (406) 892-1272. To learn more, visit them online.