Here Are 5 Things You Absolutely CANNOT Store

5 Things You Absolutely CANNOT Store

Storing items you don’t currently need at an off-site storage centre makes a lot of sense.

It frees up living space for you and your family members, cuts down on clutter and helps you organize your belongings.

At the same time, you will have peace of mind knowing that your property is safe and secure and able to be accessed by you 24-hours a day.

Storage units can be used to store many types of items, including:

Furniture
Seasonal sporting equipment
Snowmobiles
Vehicles
Boats
Motorcycles
Books
Inventory
Business and financial records

However, there are some things that can never be kept in a storage unit due to health and safety regulations and just plain common sense. Below are the top five things that cannot be kept in any storage unit.

Here then are 5 things you cannot store

Pets or people, living or dead. Storage units are not meant to be lived in, although some have tried to go that route out of desperation and homelessness.

But it is illegal to occupy one, and to house any type of animal in one is beyond cruel. The same prohibitions also apply to the deceased. Just, no.

Toxic waste or hazardous materials. If you think a storage unit is a great spot for some old asbestos insulation, you need to rethink that idea.

Also, any combustible material like petrol, paint thinner, propane or explosives cannot be stored because of the inherent dangers.

Illegal drugs or other contraband. Using a storage unit to keep cocaine, heroin or other drugs is a good way to wind up behind bars. Anything that was obtained through illegal means, such as counterfeit goods, untaxed liquor or cigarettes or stolen property of any type cannot be kept in storage.

Remember that if someone asks you if they can keep “a few boxes” of things in your storage unit, and those boxes happen to contain illegal goods, you are the one who is legally liable.

Food items. Foods rot and decay and attract pests like insects and rodents. Even canned items may burst or leak and create health hazards, so keep anything perishable out of your storage unit.

Weapons and ordnance. While some exceptions may be made in the case of antiquities like your late Great Uncle’s samurai sword, in most cases it is not legal to store any type of weapons or ammunition in your storage shed.

Not sure about what you can store? Call first.

If you have any questions about the legality or viability of storing a certain item in an off-site storage unit, call and ask whether it is permitted before attempting to self-store it.

This can save you time, money and the unwelcome attention of the RCMP.

Contact us for all your storage needs

We offer both short- and long-term storage without any commitments and can give you a quick quote right over the phone.