Knowing what kind of items you can put in storage will help you come up with a storage solution that works best for you when you are moving to another home. You should also be aware of which kind of items you are not allowed to store in a storage unit. For example, you cannot store food or dangerous items such as guns or ammunition.
Items you should never put into a storage unit for hygiene and safety reasons include, but are not limited to, the items in the list below. You will be responsible for any potential damages to the items and the storage unit if you are not following the storage safety rules.
Food Items
You are not allowed to store any type of food in the storage unit, so do not overlook this safety rule.
First of all, food items left for a prolonged period of time can attract insects or rodents, leading to a much-unwanted infestation problem. The pesky invaders can chew on all sorts of items, nest in them, and destroy your and other people’s belongings in the process.
Secondly, some foods will rot and start emitting bad odours, thus providing favorable conditions for bacteria and mold to grow. In fact, rotting food items can be the main reason for pest infestation.
Plants
Plants are another example of what not to store in a storage unit during a move. If you stored a plant in a storage unit, you would deprive your plants of the three basic things they need to live: natural light (sunshine), water, and fresh air. Depriving your plants from these three elements would essentially end the plants’ lives!
Additionally, plants can attract pests, thus potentially creating significant problems during the renting period. If you want to find a place to keep your plants while you are moving to a new home, we would recommend reaching out to friends or family who can take care of the plants in the meantime.
Dangerous Items, Including Guns
Hazardous materials are another important example of what not to put in a storage unit. Any materials that have the potential to corrode, burn, or explode are strictly forbidden by law to be stored at public storage facilities. The reason is more than clear – they pose a serious risk to human health. Dangerous items can lead to costly property damage as well.
Items that are commonly not allowed in storage units include chemicals, acids, gases, fuel, oils, paints and paint thinners, pesticides, liquor, fireworks, and so on. Request the full list of forbidden items for storage from the storage company you have selected.
You may be allowed to store a variety of yard equipment – your lawnmower, for instance – only after you have removed all the fuel and oil from their tanks.
Furthermore, you cannot store any type of guns and ammunition in a public storage facility. Contact a local gun shop to learn more about where and how you can store firearms safely.
Wet or Scented Products
Never store wet or damp items in a storage unit. The initial moisture in the items will foster the right conditions for mold and mildew to grow, and when this happens, all of your stored items will be in serious risk of getting damaged forever. Hence, make sure all your items are 100% dry before you store them in a storage unit. This tip is particularly important for clothes and shoes.
Scented items such as candles and soaps may attract unwelcome guests, such as insects or rodents. To deter unwanted guests from entering your storage unit, avoid putting in storage anything that gives off strong odors.
High-value or Expensive Items
As a rule of thumb, do not store items that have a high monetary value. Items such as expensive watches, artwork pieces, or jewelry, should not be stored in a storage unit. While our storage units are incredibly secure with 24/7 surveillance, we still recommend storing expensive items in a high-quality personal safe.
If you do not have other options for storing high-value possessions, please inform us about your intention, and we can discuss the need to purchase additional insurance for your prized possessions.
Cannabis
Even though cannabis has been legalized, you are still forbidden to store or grow cannabis in a storage unit.
Unregistered Vehicles
Only vehicles that are registered, fully operational, and have storage insurance are allowed to be stored at a storage facility. This includes cars, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles.
Animals
You should never leave any live animals in your storage unit. It is not only morally wrong, but it is also against the law to do so. Do not ever leave pets or other animals in a storage unit!