Renting a storage unit has become a very popular way to keep your excess stuff safe. Whether you are moving from one place to another or have too much stuff but not enough room in your home, a storage unit could be a perfect solution. However, if you plan on renting one, you need to get informed about things not allowed in storage units. To help you avoid storage packing mistakes, we’ve created a list of 8 things that you cannot keep in a storage unit.
Animals
This one goes without saying – you can’t keep living beings locked in a storage unit. If you plan on holding exotic animals or using your storage unit as a kennel for your pets, you should immediately get that idea off your mind.
Animals require constant care and love, and leaving them in a closed storage unit is something you shouldn’t even consider for various reasons. If you cannot take care of your pet anymore, make sure to find a good home for them.
Perishables And Food
If you have considered using your storage unit as a pantry, you will be disappointed to know that you’re not allowed to keep food and perishables there. Food can attract rodents, insects, and other unwanted critters. They can cause a lot of damage and even destroy items in your storage unit.
Another thing that can happen is that the food can go bad and rot. Not only will it cause a horrible odor, but rotten food is a welcoming ground for bacteria and mold to grow. There are many benefits of renting a storage unit, especially if you are moving. However, leave out food when you’re packing things to put in your storage.
Wet Items
Another thing to pay attention to is not to get wet stuff into your storage unit. Why? The reason is very simple – wet things can create suitable conditions for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow.
Therefore, make sure your things are fully dry before storing them in a unit. That way, you’ll prevent harmful organisms from growing and spreading around your storage unit.
Plants
Plants are living beings that need fresh air, sunshine, and water to grow. Those conditions can’t be found in storage units as they are very dark and lack fresh airflow. Even if you visit and water them regularly, they will not be able to survive.
When searching for the right storage facility in Manhattan, the features it has are some of the most important things to pay attention to. However, rarely will a facility manager allow you to keep plants inside, so make sure to discuss this before signing anything.
Another thing to remember is that plants can attract insects and other pests. If that happens, you risk your items getting damaged. Therefore, if you no longer have enough space for your plants, give them away to someone who can take good care of them.
Hazardous Materials
If an item can burn, explode, or corrode, it is not safe to keep in a storage unit. Many of those items are forbidden by law mainly because they can cause expensive damage to your property, and most importantly, they pose a severe risk to human health.
Here are just some of the things not allowed in storage units:
- different fuels
- fireworks
- acids
- chemicals
- pesticides
- gases
- liquor
- medical waste
When moving your things into a storage unit, categorize your storage and find out the safest way and place to keep dangerous materials you own. If you are not sure if you’re allowed to keep a specific item in your storage unit, make sure to consult with the company you’re renting the unit from.
Illegal Substances
We really don’t have to explain much when it comes to illegal substances. You’re not allowed to keep military-grade weapons, ammunition and firearms, and illicit drugs. You are not allowed to keep these items anywhere, let alone in a storage unit you’re renting.
Irreplaceable and Valuable Items
Things that are priceless to you, whether they are only sentimental or have substantial monetary value, can’t be kept in a storage unit. Items like jewelry, money, or important documentation like birth certificates, passports, or even family photos are better to be stored in a safety deposit box in a bank. You can even invest in a high-quality safe and keep them at home.
The reason behind this rule is simple – the safety of your precious items. Although storage renting companies invest a lot in security and usually have 24-hour surveillance and on-site staff, burglaries can still happen. They are sporadic, but you don’t want to take chances if those items are priceless to you. Also, as they can potentially get damaged, it’s safer to store them elsewhere.
Vehicles That Are Unregistered or Not Operational
If you plan on storing vehicles such as cars, boats, trucks, RVs, motorcycles, or trailers in your storage unit, have in mind that you’ll need to obtain storage insurance. Before you store any vehicle in a unit, an on-site manager will ask for these documents as proof.
Not only that, but any vehicle you plan on keeping also needs a license and registration. Additionally, if the car is not operational, you can’t store it in a unit. It even has to have fully functional tires. This rule is set specifically for various safety reasons.
In Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed reading about these 8 things not allowed in storage units. Hopefully, we were able to make your packing process that much easier. Now that you have information about what you can and cannot store, make sure to do your research and rent a unit with a reliable company that will keep your belongings in the safest way.
You Must Know About
