STORAGE IN THE HOME

 Objectives:

By the end of this post, the reader should be able to:

·         Explain Importance of storage in the home.

·          Analyze the principles and the guidelines for achieving effective storage.

 

MEANING OF STORAGE

Storage refers to places in a home where people keep possessions such as clothes, dishes, linens, books and tools. Space for storage might be a bedroom closet, the kitchen shelves, the garage or a room that serves as the store for the house. OR

Storage refers to the act of keeping items used for activities when not in use for safe keeping.

 

Importance of Storage

(i) Reduce clutter 

To keep things or objects out of the way when they are not in use thus reducing clutter that can   lead to frustration.

(ii) Everything is easily accessible

Everything has a place and is readily accessible. Everything is visible and can be easily located. That is, it helps in keeping track of things in the home.

(iii) Saves time and energy

A good storage system goes a long way to reduce time and energy used in the home. Moving around the house in search of items is reduced and therefore reduce stress.

(iv) It helps people to manage their possessions and their life more easily.

(v) It makes work simpler: 

By storing things properly and at appropriate places, work is made simpler as the worker knows where to locate what.

(vi) It promotes efficiency in work 

It promotes efficiency in work, in that the home maker does not waste time looking for items and thus work faster, more confidently and efficiently.

 

Principles of Storage

(i) Place frequently used items at the place of first use. All frequently used items or equipment and supplies should be placed where the work or task will be started.

(ii) Place items so that they are easily seen and reached. Frequently used items should be placed at a place where they can easily be seen and reached. Items should not be stored in places they cannot be seen or reached. Items should

not be put at places that require climbing.

(iii) Consider the limit of maximum reach of the person. Items should not be stored at places which require stooping, climbing and stretching because the height at which an item is stored determines how readily accessible it is.

 

Guidelines for Achieving Principles of Storage

(i) Group similar items together and in the same area. Items used for a particular purpose should be kept together.

(ii) Keep items within reach.

(iii) To keep items visible, use clear containers, wire mesh, open shelves or label items.

(iv) Compartmentalize space: Divide space into closets or drawers and designate a place for each item.

(y) Leave spaces in between items, so that you can easily grasp, pick and replace.

(vi) Sort out items according to where they are used and put them into the place of first use.

(viii) Store items that are used together close to each other.

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF A WELLDESIGNED STORAGE FACILITY

A well-designed storage facility must possess the following characteristics:

i. Easy to access

A storage facility must be easy to access to allow for the easy movement of items to be stored. This means that it should be easy to find the storage facility and put things in and out of it.

ii. Size 

A good storage facility should be of the appropriate size to accommodate items meant for storage. Items should not be bent or squeezed into a storage facility.

iii. Secure

A storage facility should be safe and hard to break in. People and animals should not find it easy to enter the storage facility and remove or destroy the items in storage. A secure storage facility must also ensure that flood and fire do not quickly destroy items in it.

iv. Clean and tidy 

The storage facility must also be clean and tidy to prevent rodents and other harmful things from causing damage to the items in it.

 

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

1. a. What is storage?

b. State five importance of storage.

2. What are the guidelines for achieving the principles of storage.

3. Identify three principles of storage.