It can be easy to view your self-storage unit as an extension of your garage – a place to store items and belongings that you don’t use on a regular basis but still want to keep safe.
However, unlike your garage, you can’t just store anything and everything in your storage unit. There are a number of items that you should never put in self-storage – both from a safety perspective and from a contractual point of view.
Here, we’ve listed out twelve key personal valuables and belongings that you might want to think twice about putting in your storage unit.
1. Important Documents
Documents such as passports, birth certificates, and financial records should never be stored in a self-storage unit. These papers are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity, which can cause damage over time. With self-storage unit fires on the rise, it’s yet another reason to avoid storing important documents like birth certificates.
Instead, consider storing these documents in a safe at home or in a safety deposit box at your bank. This ensures they’re protected and accessible when needed.
2. Jewellery and Precious Metals
Jewellery, gold, and other precious metals are high-value items that should not be left in a self-storage unit. Even with security measures in place, there’s always a risk of theft or loss.
It’s advisable to store these items in a secure home safe or a bank’s safety deposit box, where they are far less vulnerable to theft.
3. Cash
Storing cash in a self-storage unit is highly risky. Not only is cash a prime target for thieves, but it also isn’t covered by typical storage insurance policies.
Keep your cash in a secure bank account, where it’s protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), providing peace of mind and easy access.
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4. Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and ammunition should never be stored in a self-storage unit due to legal restrictions and safety concerns. Most storage facilities prohibit these items for liability reasons.
Store firearms and ammunition in a secure, licensed storage location that meets legal requirements, ensuring they are safe and compliant with UK laws.
5. Perishable Goods
Perishable goods such as food should not be kept in self-storage. These items can attract pests, spoil, and create unpleasant odours, potentially damaging other belongings in your unit.
If you need to store food items, ensure they are non-perishable and securely sealed, but ideally, keep them at home in a controlled environment.
6. Family Heirlooms and Irreplaceable Keepsakes
Items with high sentimental value, like family heirlooms or irreplaceable keepsakes, should be kept out of self-storage. These items often cannot be replaced if lost or damaged, and the emotional loss can be significant.
Consider keeping these valuables in a climate-controlled environment at home, where you can easily access and protect them.
7. Electronics
Electronics such as computers, televisions, and other gadgets are susceptible to damage from extreme temperatures and humidity. Self-storage units often lack the climate control necessary to protect these sensitive items.
Store electronics in a cool, dry place at home or in a specialised storage facility that offers climate-controlled units.
8. Art and Collectables
Fine art, antiques, and collectables should not be stored in standard self-storage units. These items require stable conditions to avoid damage from temperature changes, moisture, and pests.
If you need to store art or collectables, seek out specialised storage facilities that offer climate control and security features designed to protect valuable items.
While self-storage units are an excellent option for many belongings, certain items are too valuable, fragile, or irreplaceable to be left in these facilities.
9. Precious Antiques
Many antiques will be highly sensitive to temperature and moisture in the air, leaving them at risk in non-climate-controlled environments. Delicate paintwork, mechanical mechanisms, and fabrics can all be damaged beyond repair, particularly if they are left unattended for a prolonged period of time.
Antiques are best stored at home or with assistance from a specialist antiques dealer who will be able to advise on how to proceed. If in doubt, seeking expert advice is the best way to secure the long-term value of your antiques.
10. Musical Instruments
Instruments with strings will be highly sensitive to temperature changes, especially if they are older instruments or period designs. As well as detuning the instruments, unsuitable conditions can change the way the sound reverberates within the instrument itself, forever changing the pitch it is able to achieve.
An instrument is best kept in a dedicated storage case at home out of direct sunlight.
11. Fireworks and Projectiles
Fireworks and gas-powered projectiles should never be stored in a self-storage facility, and doing so may breach the terms of the contract. Fireworks should be stored at home in a locked metal box or container that is damp-proof and not exposed to intense sunlight. They should also be stored away from any potential sources of ignition and out of the reach of children and young people.
12. Medication & Supplements
Many types of medication will need to be stored in a cool, dry place where they are not subject to temperature swings and excess moisture in the air. Personal medication should always be stored at home out of the reach of children and clearly labelled. Supplements, when used for personal purposes, should be stored at home. Supplements that are being bought and sold as part of a health and fitness business should be stored in a suitable climate-controlled stockroom that is securely locked when not in use.
How Safe Is Self-Storage?
Make sure that whatever you have in storage is covered with the correct self-storage insurance policy. That way, you will be able to approach putting valuables in self storage in a much safer way, and with far greater peace of mind.
Find out more and compare quotes today.
