A storage facility may appear to be a convenient location to store items that do not fit in your house or office. We normally refer to objects that have been in a storage facility for more than 90 days when we say "long-term storage." Anything you're planning to keep for that long should be able to withstand the test of time. Here are five items that should not be kept for long periods of time and what you should do instead:
Flammable or Combustible Items
Anything that has the potential to catch fire or explode is prohibited. Paint, cleaners, chemicals, grease, oil, propane, and gasoline are all examples. Explosives and fireworks are, of course, banned. Don't even consider putting these items in storage because you'll be held accountable if it explodes.
Perishable Commodities
Food and perishable commodities should be stored elsewhere unless they are tightly wrapped to protect them from rodents. This is one of the most commonly ignored safety requirements when using self-storage! Never store food, even pet food, in a storage unit. Consider this: if you leave food in a closed place for an extended period of time, it will deteriorate and attract insects and rats alike. As a result, those small intruders will most likely chew on and even nest in the rest of your stored belongings. Want to deal with more serious issues? Infestation of the entire self-storage facility is a distinct possibility. Even if no rats enter the food storage unit, the decomposing food will produce mould and bacteria.
Important Documents
Not all documents should be stored in a long-term self-storage facility. Some items directly related to your personal identity should be kept close to hand, preferably in a fireproof document safe at home. Marriage licenses, cash, medical records, passports (old and new), and birth certificates are some of the important documents that should stay at home.
Weapons and Ammunition
Any type of weaponry is prohibited from being stored in self-storage facilities (such as a pre-World War II artillery collection). They constitute a hazard not only inside the institution, but they might also be dangerous to the general public if they fall into the wrong hands. Even if the firearms are antiques that are no longer functional, they could represent a threat.
Illegal, Stolen, or Toxic Substances
It goes without saying that you should not keep unlawful or stolen materials in your storage facility. Illegal, stolen, hazardous, or toxic substances should not be stored in long-term self-storage. This includes fertilisers, chemicals, and other everyday cleaning supplies. In severe temperatures, these items are extremely poisonous and deadly. They could start a fire or spill chemicals in your unit and the nearby storage units.
Self-storage facilities are vulnerable to searches; thus, unlawful things will be no safer there than at home. Before you store, check with your storage facility to ensure that you are storing objects correctly and that you are not storing a "prohibited" item.
For more information, please contact us.