What You Shouldn’t Put in a Self-Storage Unit

Renting a self-storage unit in Capitola is a great way to clear up space around your home and keep your belongings safe, secure, and organized. However, not everything you own is suitable for self-storage. While some items are prohibited because they pose a safety hazard, other items are not recommended for storage to prevent damage and loss. Your storage facility manager will provide you with a list of allowable items to make sure you are not violating any rules or endangering your fellow storage users. In the meantime, this list will provide a general overview of items that you should avoid putting in storage. What You Shouldn’t Put in a Self-Storage Unit

Perishable Food Items

Food items that are perishable such as meat, cheese, flour, cereals, and unsealed items should not be kept in storage, even a climate-controlled storage unit. Perishable food items can spoil very quickly in storage. The smell of rotting food products can ruin your belongings and make life very unpleasant for storage facility employees and other storage users.

Anything Illegal

Illegal items are still illegal in storage. Narcotics, stolen merchandise, and unregistered firearms are some of the common illegal items seized from storage units. If and when the storage facility finds out that you have illegal items in storage, the first phone call will be to the police.

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials such as volatile chemicals, radioactive materials, and toxic substances cannot be store in a facility that cares for other people’s belongings. Given the unstable and destructive nature of most hazardous materials, they pose a great risk to all of the belongings in a storage facility—not just your own.

Living Things

It may seem like common sense, but animals should never be kept in a storage unit, even if you plan to keep food and water in the unit. Although plants are allowed in most storage units, you are advised to store them elsewhere to prevent wilting.