What Items Cannot Be Kept in Your Garage?

Do you count yourself among those who use the garage as a dumping ground for household things that don't fit elsewhere? Even if many people do it, they might need to learn that some things should never be in the garage. In this article, we'll reveal the shocking contents of a garage full of potential dangers.

In a nutshell, the harsh circumstances of a standard garage can hasten the spoilage or deterioration of some objects, such as perishable foods, valuable documents, and even paint. Therefore, knowing what you shouldn't store in your garage is crucial for the well-being of your valuables. To keep your stuff in pristine shape and your garage clear of clutter, follow the advice in this article.

However, there are other factors to think about. Explore the exciting world of garage storage safety with us and learn the trade tricks that will keep your belongings secure while keeping your garage neat and free of potential hazards. Is it time to examine the contents of your garage?

Which Items Should Not Be Placed in Storage?

When considering using a storage unit, it's paramount to understand which items are inappropriate or prohibited for storage to ensure everyone's belongings remain safe. The public storage regulations are designed to protect all users from potential damages. Thus, while you are leasing the space, there are certain items you must avoid storing. Below are some crucial guidelines to keep in mind:

Foods and Perishables

It's a common misconception to think storage units are suitable for food storage. Foods, including pet food, should never be stored as they can deteriorate, emitting odours that attract pests. These pests might not only damage your belongings but can also compromise the entire facility. Furthermore, mould and microbes can thrive in such environments, causing further damage and health concerns.

Live Animals and Pets

Storing any living being in a storage unit is not only inhumane but is also illegal. Such an act is a grave breach of both ethical and legal standards. If one cannot care for a pet, consider alternatives such as seeking assistance from trusted friends or family, hiring a pet sitter, or relocating the pet to a reputable animal shelter.

Plants

Just as with animals, live plants should not be stored. A storage unit lacks the essential elements like light, water, and air that plants require to survive. If relocating plants is challenging, donating or gifting them is best. While plants are a no-go, gardening tools and equipment, on the other hand, can be safely stored.

Valuables and Delicate Items

• Artwork: Art pieces, especially those on canvas, require specific temperature ranges (ideally between 70-75°F) to maintain their integrity.
• Leather Goods: Leather items can deteriorate under fluctuating temperatures. Hence, it's best to avoid storing leather clothing or shoes.
• Sensitive Documents: Despite robust security measures, there's always a risk of theft. Ensure that critical documents and sensitive information are stored securely elsewhere.
• Wine: Wine requires stable temperatures for preservation. Instead of storage units, consider wine racks or specialised refrigerators.

Prohibited and Hazardous Items

Reputable storage facilities strictly forbid storing illegal or stolen goods, including contraband. Additionally, weapons, explosives, and other dangerous items are banned. This prohibition extends to:

• Illegal substances
• Items acquired unlawfully
• Firearm and explosives

Moreover, hazardous materials pose imminent risks and are strictly banned. These can range from corrosive substances, flammables, and fireworks to household items like paint thinners and insecticides.

Textiles

Storing textiles, such as clothing, linens, or any cloth-based items, in storage units can attract pests. If you consider storing textiles in such environments, opt for vacuum-sealed bags or airtight containers.

Paint and Hazardous Chemicals

While it might be tempting to keep surplus paint cans or hazardous chemicals, it's essential to note that many of these require specific temperature ranges. Furthermore, they can pose risks if spilled or opened.

Gas-Powered Tools

If you are considering storing tools like lawnmowers, drain all the fuel beforehand to prevent potential hazards.

While storage units provide a practical solution for many, it's vital to be informed and diligent about what to store. Always liaise with the storage facility staff if you need clarification. Remember, the safety and integrity of your belongings and others are paramount.

Your only option for safekeeping your firearm is to visit a local gun shop or shooting range, as you are not permitted to keep any firearm, ammunition, or explosives on your person. Visit the interactive wall in the garage. It would be best if you didn't keep anything there that could be considered dangerous. Public storage facilities do not permit corrupt, combustible, or explosive materials. The reason for this is apparent: they pose a significant risk to human health. Dangerous items might also result in costly property damage.

To name just a few examples, you shouldn't try to put away any chemicals, acids, gas, fuel, oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, alcoholic beverages, explosions, etc. Inquiring about what can't be kept in storage at your chosen storage facility should yield a comprehensive list. Before putting away your lawnmower and other yard equipment, you should check the fuel and oil levels. Gasoline, ammo, and pyrotechnics should never be put in a storage container because of the extreme heat and lack of oxygen. You should review your lease to determine if anything more is required.

Hazardous materials like biological waste, asbestos, or acids are unsafe to store in self-storage facilities. The obvious dangers of hazardous substances are only sometimes apparent. For example, improper storage of fertilisers and other cleaning chemicals could threaten the user. Keeping these items in your storage unit immediately endangers the lives of everybody who uses it and everyone in the neighbourhood. Contact us if you need high-end garage storage in Sydney.

Asbestos is an excellent example. Many everyday household items, from adhesives and plastics to baby powder and hair dryers, contain asbestos because it is a naturally occuring substance. Tiny fibres make up this substance, and they float around in the air where they can be inhaled. Prolonged contact with these materials has been linked to various health problems, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Keep in mind that even common household goods might represent a threat if they are misused.

The most stringent restrictions apply to potential fire or explosive hazards. These include fireworks, explosives, gasoline, propane, oil, grease, chemicals, cleaners, and paint. Asbestos, fertilisers, and biological waste are also listed because of their potential harm. Anything illegal or radioactive is also listed.

You won't be able to keep explosives or other dangerous materials at most storage facilities. Gasoline, kerosene, and pyrotechnics are flammable and explosive; thus, they can't be stored in a standard warehouse. Anyone entering the building should know that even seemingly innocuous goods offer a significant risk. Feel free to contact the storage facility's staff if you have any questions or concerns about the items you intend to store. If you have combustibles in your storage unit, it could catch fire at any time. A rapid increase in temperature can cause combustibles to explode.

Conclusion

Many people store things in their garages, but some can be dangerous. Food, live animals, plants, valuables and fragile items, illegal or dangerous items, and gas-powered tools are just a few of the things that shouldn't be kept in a shed.

Foods and other things that go bad quickly should never be kept in the garage because they can go wrong, and bugs will come to them. Pets and live animals should not be kept in storage boxes because they need light, water, and air. Specific temperature ranges are needed to keep art, leather goods, sensitive papers, and wine in good condition.

Banned or dangerous items include drugs, weapons, explosives, firearms, paint thinners, insecticides, textiles, paint, hazardous chemicals, and gas-powered tools. Damaged, flammable, or explosive materials cannot be stored in public storage spaces at all costs, as they severely threaten public safety and property.

Biological waste, asbestos, acids, and other dangerous materials should not be stored in self-storage units because they can harm users and neighbours. Asbestos, fertilisers, and biological waste are on the list. Any illegal or toxic items are also not allowed.

You can't keep explosives or other dangerous items in most storage units because gasoline, kerosene, and pyrotechnics are all flammable and can explode. To ensure the safety and purity of your belongings and the belongings of others, you should contact the storage facility's staff if you have any questions or concerns about the things you want to store.

Content Summary

• Understand why certain items shouldn't be in your garage for safety.
• Harsh garage conditions can deteriorate many household objects.
• Avoid keeping perishable foods in the garage to prevent spoilage.
• Essential documents should stay out of garage storage for their preservation.
• Ensure your garage is accessible from hazards with the proper storage practices.
• Misconception debunked: storage units need to be more suitable for food storage.
• Storing food items can attract pests and promote mould growth.
• Never use storage units to house live animals or pets.
• The storage of living beings is both illegal and unethical.
• Plants needing light and air need money and aren't suitable for storage units.
• Safely store gardening tools, but not live plants.
• Artwork requires specific temperatures, making it unsuitable for standard storage.
• Leather goods deteriorate in fluctuating temperatures – store wisely.
• Sensitive documents need secure storage away from potential theft.
• Preserve wine in specialised refrigerators, not in storage units.
• Illegal or stolen goods are strictly prohibited in storage facilities.
• Avoid storing firearms, explosives, or contraband in storage units.
• Hazardous materials like corrosives and flammables are storage no-nos.
• Paint thinners and insecticides are among the banned storage items.
• Textiles in storage units can be pest magnets.
• Opt for vacuum-sealed bags when considering storing textiles.
• Surplus paint and chemicals require specific storage conditions.
• Always drain fuel from gas-powered tools before storage.
• Storage units necessitate knowledge and diligence for safety.
• Firearms should be safely kept at local gun shops or shooting ranges.
• Storage of combustible or explosive materials is a significant human health risk.
• Avoid storing chemicals, acids, fuel, and oils in storage facilities.
• Inquire at storage facilities for a comprehensive list of prohibited items.
• Ensure gas and oil levels are checked before storing yard equipment.
• Ammo and pyrotechnics shouldn't be stored due to lack of heat and oxygen.
• Hazardous materials like asbestos are unsuitable for self-storage.
• Improper storage of fertilisers can pose dangers to users.
• Asbestos in everyday household items can be harmful when airborne.
• Prolonged asbestos contact is linked to severe health issues.
• Fire or explosive hazards, including fireworks and gasoline, have strict storage restrictions.
• Radioactive items and illegal substances are prohibited in storage units.
• Most storage facilities ban explosives and hazardous materials.
• Gasoline, kerosene, and pyrotechnics are flammable and shouldn't be stored.
• Reach out to storage facility staff with queries on storage items.
• Combustibles in storage can be fire hazards with temperature spikes.
• Avoid potential fire risks by understanding storage restrictions.
• Ensure a neat and hazard-free garage with proper storage knowledge.
• Always be diligent about what you decide to store in facilities.
• Be aware of the dangers of improper garage and storage unit use.
• Remember that even everyday items can pose risks when stored improperly.
• Seek high-end garage storage solutions for optimised safety.
• Keeping your belongings safe also ensures the safety of others.
• Familiarise yourself with storage do's and don'ts to prevent potential damages.