What Not to Store in Your Unit and Why
Why Do Self Storage Restrictions Exist?
Some people might argue that as long they keep paying for a storage unit, that rented space becomes their own rented space, and therefore they can store in it anything they wish. Needless to say, that argument is rather weak simply because those people tend to forget something that is of paramount importance: SAFETY. Safety rules are there to protect people and property alike, and without them chaos, anarchy and trouble would follow.
Rules are rules, and the same way you can’t just disregard all road safety rules and traffic regulations simply because you’ve rented a car, you are expected and strongly advised to follow the safety guidelines when renting a self-storage unit.
Remember: There are things you can’t put into storage because they are not allowed for safety reasons.
Simple as that. If anything bad happens due to your negligence and refusal to follow the rules, then you will be liable for any potential damage.
Prohibited items you should NOT put in a storage unit:
Here’s a handy list of things you are not allowed to keep in a self-storage unit, including the very reasons why they are not permitted. Some of these restricted items are pretty obvious, but there are also those items that you don’t automatically consider unfit to be stored in your rented space.
- Plants: Plants need light, food, and water. They will die faster in a storage unit than they will at your home or office. Gardeners are allowed to keep pretty much all their supplies inside a storage unit, but they must opt to keep anything that’s alive stored elsewhere.
- Firearms, munitions, gunpowder, and explosives: Your firearm collection cannot be kept in self storage. Neither are fireworks or other explosives. If you ignore this warning and your storage unit blows up, you could end up celebrating next Independence Day in a federal facility.
- Food and other perishables: It doesn’t matter if it’s pet food or pâté, stored food will rot, stink and attract vermin, making you very unpopular with your facility management and anybody with a storage unit near yours. This includes boxes or containers that have previously help food, like banana or liquor boxes. They may not look like food, but they sure smell like it.
- Hazardous materials and waste storage: You’ll need to find somewhere else to keep your excess flammable, explosive or radioactive stuff. If it’s corrosive, chemical, odorous, noxious or toxic, it can’t go in self storage, either. This includes lead paint, asbestos, urea formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyl, petroleum, petroleum products and constituents, methane, medical waste, toxic substances and related materials as defined in several federal acts and state statutes with long names and numbers.
- Hot stuff: Stolen goods of any kind can’t be kept in self storage.
- Cash: Keep in mind that insurance policies do not cover cash. Therefore, all that spare money and loot you have scattered around the house will be much safer in a safe deposit box at your bank.