7 Items You Should Never Store in a Storage Unit
Whilst our self-storage solutions in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are great for storing household and business items securely, there are several items which should never be kept within your storage unit. This is due to the items not being safe, legal or practical to be in such conditions. At Elite Container Storage we offer a range of Brisbane self-storage and Gold Coast self-storage solutions that can accommodate a range of items. Here are seven items that we recommend keeping away from your storage unit.
1. Electronics and Batteries
Electronics and batteries are not ideal to be kept within storage containers due to being susceptible to overheating and corrosion. They can become a fire hazard, even with the protection of our climate-controlled units. Electronics and batteries are stored most safely within their original packaging and away from direct sunlight. When they remain within your home, you are also able to monitor whether they become faulty. However, if this is not an option for you – at Elite Container Storage, we offer specialty storage boxes for your electronics.
2. Hazardous Materials
Hazardous and flammable materials are not permitted within our storage containers to ensure that your own belongings and the surrounding containers are subject to less risk. This includes gasoline, propane tanks, lighter fluid, fireworks, asbestos and industrial chemicals. Even in sealed containers, these materials can act in unpredictable ways and create an unsafe environment.
3. Perishable Food
Whilst the thought of keeping an overflow of food in storage may sound beneficial, storing perishable food in your container is not recommended. Your perishable goods may expire before you were expecting them to or may be forgotten whilst in your container, which could lead to mold breeding within your container and going unnoticed. This can create a health risk, may attract pests and could impact the condition of the rest of your belongings.
4. Athletic Sneakers
Shoes are welcome to be stored within our storage units, but it’s important to assess the condition of your shoes before deciding to pack them away. Particularly, well-loved athletic sneakers are prone to creating a strong odour within your unit and may begin to break down if you intend on keeping them in storage long-term.
5. Medication
The need for medication can be unpredictable, so we advise to store your medication in areas which are easily accessible for times of need. This ensures that the distance between yourself and your medication does not become a barrier if you find yourself needing to take your medication. It is also important for medication to be used prior to its expiry date and when you place it into storage, you may forget you have it until it’s too late.
6. Plants
Storage containers do not provide plants with the essential resources that they need to survive, so placing your plants into storage can often be fatal for them. This is due to there being a lack of sunlight, limited airflow and no natural water source from within the containers for your plants.
7. Items Sensitive to Temperature
Whilst our storage containers have climate control, we do not monitor the condition of your personal belongings. This is sufficient protection for most goods, however, more sensitive items such as old books, antique furniture, and vinyl records may still deteriorate depending on their specific needs. We are unable to guarantee that less durable items will remain in the same condition within our shipping containers, so if you have an item which is particularly special to you – we would recommend keeping this at home.
Contact Elite Container Storage For Your Self-Storage Needs
Aside from the listed items, we welcome you to utilise our self-storage services for your storage needs in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. When you choose Elite Container Storage, you can be assured that your belongings will stay safe and secure 24/7 in our fully insulated containers.
If you’re looking for more tips and tricks visit our storage tips page.
