So you’ve got a storage unit. Or you’re about to get one. You’re thinking about space, about the lock, about whether your couch will fit. I get it. I did the same thing years ago before I worked in this business.
Here’s what you’re not thinking about: the guy two units over who decides it’s a brilliant idea to store his lawnmower…with the gas tank still full. Or the family who packs their unit floor-to-ceiling with cardboard boxes of old magazines and clothes, a perfect fluffy nest of fuel.
I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to give you the straight talk I’d give my sister. Because a fire in a storage facility is almost never “an act of God.” It’s almost always an act of “Oops, I didn’t think that through.”
The Big One: What You CAN’T Store (This isn’t us being fussy.)
Let’s cut to the chase. Your lease has a prohibited items list. Nobody reads it. But you should. It’s not legal blah-blah; it’s the “Don’t Blow Up The Building” list.
- Anything with gas in it. Lawnmowers, leaf blowers, generators, motorcycles. DRAIN THEM. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had the “But it’s just a little gas!” conversation. A little gas vapor in a hot, closed metal unit is how you make a bomb. Sorry to be dramatic, but it’s true.
- Propane tanks. Even the little green camping ones. Nope. Not empty, not full. Just no.
- Paint, chemicals, cleaners. That half-can of stain from your deck project? It’s off-gassing. It’s volatile. In summer, a unit can get hotter than your car dashboard. That can isn’t stable.
- Fireworks, ammo, anything explosive. I feel silly even writing this, but you’d be shocked. If it’s designed to explode or spark, it doesn’t belong here.
- Old batteries. Especially lithium-ion ones from old laptops, vapes, or power tools. If a battery is swollen, dented, or damaged, it can spontaneously catch fire. I’ve seen it happen in a junk drawer. Imagine it in a unit full of your stuff.
If you’re unsure, just call us. At Downtown Mini Storage, I’d rather you ask me ten “dumb” questions than make one bad assumption. Seriously. Call.
How You Pack is a Safety Move?
You’re paying for the space, so you want to fill it. I don’t blame you. But how you stack matters.
- Cardboard is kindling. If you can, use plastic bins. They’re more sealed and less…flammable. If you use boxes, don’t make a solid wall of them.
- Leave a little air. Don’t jam stuff right up against the walls or all the way to the ceiling. If the facility has sprinklers (a lot do, we do at Downtown Mini Storage), you’re blocking them. You’re also letting heat build up. A few inches of space is like giving your stuff a little breathing room.
- Make a path. Leave a skinny walkway from the door to the back. This isn’t for you, honestly. It’s so if there’s ever an issue, a firefighter can see in without having to pull everything out. It’s a huge help.
The Facility’s Job (And How to Tell if They’re Doing It)
You’re doing your part. The facility needs to do theirs. When you’re shopping around, don’t just look at the price. Look around.
- Is it clean? Trash and debris are a fire hazard. A messy property is a clue about management.
- Are there clear “NO SMOKING” signs? Is there cigarette butts on the ground anyway? That’s a bad sign. Smoking near units is a massive risk.
- Ask them: “What are your fire prevention systems?” They should be able to tell you straight up: sprinklers, fire walls between units, smoke detectors, 24/7 monitoring. At our place, we have a story for each one. We’re proud of it.
- Do they seem…alert? When I managed a facility, I knew who was coming and going. I’d notice a new, weird smell. Good managers are nosy in the best way.
The Insurance Talk (The Boring One You Need to Have)
Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance might cover stuff in storage. But there’s always a “but.” There are usually limits on high-value items (jewelry, art, collectibles). The kicker? If you’re negligent—like you stored gasoline and it caused a fire—your claim might be denied.
Call your insurance agent. Say, “I’m renting a 10×10 storage unit. What’s covered?” It’s a five-minute call that could save you a lifetime of regret.
Why This All Matters to Me
I got into this business because I needed storage myself once. I stored my dad’s old tools and a bunch of family photo albums after he passed. That stuff was irreplaceable. The thought of losing it to something preventable made me sick.
That’s the heart of it. It’s not about boxes and furniture. It’s about what those things mean. Your kid’s first drawings. Your wedding dress. Your vintage record collection.
When you choose a place like Downtown Mini Storage, you’re choosing a team that gets that. We’re not just landlords of empty spaces. We’re the temporary guardians of your history. We take that seriously. We’re on the property every day, checking, maintaining, and yes, worrying about this stuff so you can sleep easy.
Do your part. And choose a facility that does theirs. It’s that simple.
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