Learning About Business Opportunities

Posted on: 30 June 2016

Summer time means school's out, which also means it's vacation and planning time for teachers. It may also be time to cart home all of your supplies and classroom tools if you can't leave them at the school over the summer or if you are going to be changing schools. Instead of turning your home into a storage unit, try renting one. The following tips will help you store your supplies safely until fall.

Tip #1: Opt for plastic tubs

Many of your supplies are probably paper, including books, workbooks, worksheets, and art supplies. It doesn't take much moisture to destroy these items. Plastic tubs ensure everything stays dry while it is in storage, and they are sturdy enough to easily transport between the unit and the classroom when the time comes. If you have a lot of worksheets, consider getting a plastic file box, since this will allow you to organize them so it's easy to find what you need in the future.

Tip #2: Clean the art supplies

Art supplies can be the most dangerous items in your storage unit, since many non-toxic supplies, like paste, can also attract feeding pests. Take a few minutes to wipe everything down with a damp cloth, and then make sure lids are on securely. Scissors must also be wiped and dried, since they usually end up with glue or paint on them from being used on wet paper. Toss any supplies that are almost empty or are beginning to dry up. Store the rest in a plastic tub to help keep pests away.

Tip #3: Store books spine up

Although not the best way for long term storage, spine up storage is fine for a few short summer months. This way you can quickly scan the contents of the storage tub to see what books are in it. This is particularly handy if you need to retrieve any books while working on your summer lesson planning. Another idea is to make an inventory of all the books in a particular box, and then tape it to the lid.

Tip #4: Be careful with electronic media

With more classrooms turning to tech for educational purposes, it's no surprise if you have a bit of electronic media on hand. Whether it's DVDs, listening devices, or other electronic devices, make sure they are stored with the batteries out (where applicable) and that the devices are kept in a water-tight storage tub. You may also want to consider climate controlled storage units, since the heat of summer could otherwise damage the items.

Contact a storage facility, such as I-70 Self Storage, for more help.