What not to store in a storage unit

Having a self storage unit is the perfect solution to store old belongings, furniture, seasonal items and even day-to-day possessions that you no longer have space for. While incredibly convenient and worth the investment, it is important to be aware of any rules and what not to store in a storage unit.

There are numerous items that you shouldn’t store in your unit, and following our guidelines will prevent you from the risk of damaging other items that are valuable or irreplaceable.

Hazardous items

While stating the obvious, hazardous items should never be left in your self storage unit. Hazardous items include anything flammable, corrosive or explosive. Hazardous materials can cause many safety issues and, when left unsupervised, can cause great damage to your other items. Avoid storing items such as oil, paint, aerosols, cleaning products and chemicals.

Perishables

Perishable items such as meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables and anything that requires a fridge should never be stored for the long term in a self storage unit. Non-perishables, canned and dry goods will have a much greater shelf life, meaning they can be stored in a self storage unit with minimal risk. However, despite this, they must be checked regularly to ensure they do not attract any pests or bugs.

Animals

Arguably, no one would think to try and store a live animal in their storage unit, but it has happened! Not only is it against self storage restrictions, but it is also against the law. Pets can not be cared for in a self storage unit and will be subject to harm or danger when left alone in a cold and dark room.

Plants

Plants require water, sunlight and fresh air to grow and blossom, which are all unavailable within the depths of a storage unit. If you struggle to find space for your plants you should leave them with loved ones or give them away. Plants will not survive for long in storage, regardless of how low maintenance they are at home. Plants need nourishment!

Scented or wet belongings

Strongly scented items can attract unwanted pests such as insects or rodents. Wet belongings will spread bacteria and may produce mould when left for long periods. Once mould occurs, it is difficult to prevent it from spreading further. You need to ensure that every item placed in your self storage unit is dry and limited on the scent front.

Money

A self storage unit is not the ideal place to store any form of currency, whether it is cash, gold or even cheques. Even with high levels of security and security cameras throughout the building, there is still a high risk of theft – something easy to avoid considering the options of banks and safety deposit boxes that are available instead.

Stolen goods

If you do not legally own the items you want to put into storage or have permission from the owner, you probably shouldn’t do so. Storing stolen goods is a criminal offence. If you are suspected to be storing stolen goods, you could be arrested and further interrogated.

Safety comes first

Safety is essential in self storage environments. While renting the space, it is important to remember that it is not your own space and rules are in place for good reason. Restrictions are put in place to protect people and property from the dangers of prohibited items.

At Apex Self Storage, we provide safe and secure storage solutions for domestic and commercial customers. Get in touch with us today to discover how we can help meet your storage requirements.