Are There Things That You Shouldn’t Store in Your Storage Unit?

We often talk about several items that may be stored during different times of the year. However, we also feel it is important to emphasize the items that do not belong in a storage unit for a variety of reasons. So, the next time you want to store away these items, you might want to reconsider:

Living Things

This might seem like an obvious answer, but you would be surprised at how often it may occur. Storage units are not safe environments for living things, which includes people, plants and animals (including pets). All living organisms require fresh air, fresh water and fresh food to survive and live happily. The small, dark confinements of a storage unit are not safe nor healthy for living things. So, when you feel as though that house plant is no longer needed, please donate it to a nursery or plant lover.

Perishables

While canned foods and pet foods can be kept almost anywhere, it is a terrible idea to put them in a storage unit. These items, even dry and in cans, have a history of spoiling quickly and rotting, which may turn your unit into a serious health hazard. Once these items begin to spoil and rot, mold and mildew are quick to follow. These invasive fungi will likely spread to other items in your unit, as well as attract rodents and pests. What might have started as innocently storing canned food items may quickly turn into a big problem for you and the storage company.

Electronics

Electronic devices may be damaged if stored in a unit for long periods of time. These devices do not do well in extreme temperatures, and the temperature of your unit may fluctuate. If you choose to store an electronic device, please be sure to take out the batteries and take precautions to protect your equipment from humidity. Be sure to look into a climate-controlled storage unit if you are looking to store electronic devices, as those units promise consistency in temperature and humidity.

Liquids

It is best to avoid having any liquids inside of your storage unit due to the dangers of leakage. A leakage not only means you have lost whatever liquid you were storing, but it may also lead to the damage of several other items within your unit. Whether these liquids are as complex as dangerous chemicals or as simple as bottled water, both involve dangers. Liquid chemicals may cause damage to the storage unit itself and other items inside the unit. Bottled water may become hot, which causes the plastic bottles to release bisphenol A, making the water undrinkable and hazardous to your health.

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous and toxic materials are far too dangerous to keep in your home, let alone in a storage unit. Fertilizers and cleaning chemicals are common examples of items that prove hazardous if improperly stored. Bringing these materials into your storage unit can become hazardous for your items, others’ items and the safety of our employees. Even items like baby powders, hair dryers and plastics may carry asbestos and cause serious harm to individuals around them. It is best to properly dispose of these items when they are no longer needed.

It’s important to know what you can and can not store in your storage unit to avoid ruining your valuable items. Beltline and Security Stor-Alls is proud to be Mobile’s storing solution, and can answer any questions you may have about the storing process or how to take care of your items in storage! Contact us today by visiting our website or giving us a call at one of our locations.