5 Items You Can’t Put In a Storage Unit
Storage units are a great way to keep your items safe for a certain period of time. In case you experience delays or have a few days or weeks between your move-out and move-in date, storing your belongings is necessary. Storage facilities are also convenient when you’re downsizing but don’t want to get rid of everything you can’t use at your new home. Regardless of the reason for renting a storage unit, you must be aware that you can’t put anything in this type of facility. There are some items that are strictly prohibited and you should get familiar with non-allowables in advance. Read on to learn which 5 items you can’t put in a storage unit and the reasoning behind why.
Why is it important to know which items you can’t put in a storage unit?
As most moving companies and storage providers keep everyone’s safety their top priority – some items are forbidden. Some of the prohibited items can cause damage to a moving truck or could potentially damage the storage unit. It could present a risk to the environment too. It may cause health issues to the moving crew or people nearby, or someone could suffer damage or injury. As you can see, there are many ways a prohibited item can be dangerous so it can’t be put in a storage unit for safety reasons.
Do keep in mind that all movers and storage providers have their own list of non-allowables. While they will provide you with the list, it’s your responsibility to stay compliant. Note that some items are not only off-topic because of your service provider. Illegal items are strictly prohibited by law so never try to hide them among other possessions because the act is punishable by law.
Items you can’t put in a storage unit
Now that you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to jump to the list of items you should never put inside your storage facility. Some are prohibited by a specific company while others are forbidden by law.
Hazardous materials
The first group of forbidden items has to do with anything hazardous. Those are your flammable items, as well as corrosive ones. Anything that contains explosive materials can’t be kept inside a storage unit. Besides burning easily, these items pose a great risk to anyone nearby and can cause harm to the environment too. The list of hazardous materials is pretty long and includes things like paint, fertilizer, fireworks, oil, acid, gasoline, bleach, turpentine, bleach, grease, etc. Nail polishes and nail polish removers are also on this list because they are highly flammable in case they come in contact with heat. Any reputable eco friendly moving company NYC will refuse to transport those kinds of items.
Perishables
Food is the next group of items our storage provider will ask you not to keep in their facility. Even though food is nowhere near dangerous like the first group of items we mentioned, it is still prohibited. Why so? The reason is that perishables can cause a lot of mess. Imagine storing products like meat, eggs, or anything dairy inside your unit and they get spoiled. This can lead to all sorts of issues so it’s much better if you don’t even try storing perishables in your unit.
In case you feel bad about throwing food away, you’re not alone – most people feel the same. But search for alternatives and move food yourself using portable freezers or use as much groceries you can before you move. A nice way to get rid of canned food is to donate to your local charity. You’ll give to those in need while not having to deal with extra items.
Plants
Your plants are likely to be that extra touch that gives a homely feel to your place. If you’re a plant lover, you’ll want to take at least some of your favorite plants with you. Unfortunately, moving companies and storage providers will not accept these items. The reason is similar to why you shouldn’t keep food in storage. Like food, plants could also spoil. They could die inside the unit, leading to a number of issues hard to fix. In case you can’t move plants or find another solution to keep them safe for a while, consider gifting them. Some of your friends will greatly appreciate the gift for sure. Eventually, you could sell your plants and make some extra money to cover the storage unit costs.
Priceless and irreplaceable items
Although some movers, like antique moving NYC companies or fine arts movers NYC, specialize in moving valuable items, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to store them. Anything that is too valuable to you should not be kept inside storage. Your priceless belongings and items that can’t be replaced should always be moved personally and kept on your person at all times. The risk of an unfortunate event like fire, flood, or robbery can’t be ruled out when it comes to any property, including storage units. So it’s best if you don’t store anything too valuable inside the unit you rent. While this has nothing to do with safety like hazardous and perishable items, it is still a certain risk. For these reasons, you’re better off keeping these kinds of items nearby.
Weapons and ammo
The list of items we’ve listed so far usually comes from storage providers. On the other hand, storing weapons and ammunition is prohibited by federal law. Anything from guns to hand grenades, flame throwers, and any other weaponry can’t be stored inside your storage unit. These could go off accidentally or create issues for the facility in case the unit has to go up for auction. For obvious safety reasons, storage unit providers will request you respect the law and keep your weapons and ammunition in another safe designated place.
If you’re planning to rent a storage unit, make sure you skip all the items from this list. Also, request a list of non-allowed items from your moving and storage in Brooklyn provider. Keep in mind that all companies have their own set of rules so it’s up to you to stay compliant.