Self-storage 101
Self-storage has been one of the fastest growing industries in the world for the past few decades. The idea of being able to store your valuables in secure storage units at unbelievably affordable rates is one that has given many people peace of mind. In a previous blog post, we spoke about the advantages of using storage units, you can check it out here.
This time around, we’re going to take a slightly different approach and tell you about the things that shouldn’t go into a storage unit. Just so you have a bit of reference, storage units are generally used to store valuables that don’t have significant monetary or sentimental value, such as unused furniture, extra office items, books and unused appliances.
Do not store these valuables in a storage unit:
Food
If you leave any kind of food (even pet food) in an enclosed space for a long period, it will rot with a smell that may attract insects and rodents. These intruders will then take it upon themselves to ruin all your other belongings by either chewing or nesting in them.
Infestation is also possible throughout the entire facility, which means you’d be putting other people’s valuables at risk. Rather not take the risk!
Living animals or pets
Who would want to leave a living animal in a storage unit? Besides the silliness behind such an undertaking, leaving an animal in a storage unit is considered as animal cruelty and is against both the law and public storage restrictions. If you need to go somewhere and you can’t take your pet with you, rather have a friend or someone you trust look after the animal. Otherwise, just hire a pet sitter.
Hazardous materials
Things that can cause corrosion or explosions are never to be stored in storage units. Whether it’s a liquid or a solid hazardous substance, it’s against most storage regulations to store hazardous items that have the potential to harm others.
Examples of such materials include, amongst many others, chemicals, aerosol cans, acids, gases, gasoline, propane tanks, lamp or motor oils, paints, paint thinners, cleaners, pesticides, weed killers, car batteries, fireworks, liquor, and charcoal.
Weapons
Firearms, ammunition and other kinds or weapons are not permitted to be stored in storage units. Specifics about these sorts of items can be obtained by speaking with your storage provider. Even if your weapons are licensed and legal, keeping them in a storage unit puts them at risk of theft, which could result in an undesirable individual getting their hands on your weapons.
Now that you know what not to store in your storage unit, contact us today to solve all your self-storage needs!