Storage units have saved many people as moves have gone awry. Apartment searches have taken longer than expected, and people have traveled for extended periods of time and didn’t want to sell all of their belongings. The ability to store what you have in a storage unit provides peace of mind.

However, all storage facilities must comply with legal restrictions about unit contents, and many facilities have additional policies about stored items. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to property damage, storage agreement termination, and penalty fines.

Food and Drink

Not storing perishable foods, such as those that need to be frozen or refrigerated, should be a given. Food can spoil, create odors, and attract pests. If rodents get into the storage unit, they can smell foods like crackers and cereal, and chew through boxes to get to those. Canned goods can burst and send food oozing out in extreme heat, and even if the unit has climate control, the food can still rot. The same goes for water bottles and other drinks, as the containers aren’t invincible.

Plants or Any Vegetation

Real plants and plant matter, whether alive or dead, should never be kept in a storage unit. Not only can they decompose and smell, but they can attract pests that can spread to other units. Artificial plants are OK, of course, but real ones need to be kept out. That includes bouquets of cut flowers.

Gasoline and Other Hazardous Items

Gasoline and other similar items can do one of three things. They can leak and seep into the storage facility hallways; their containers can bust open and fill the facility with unhealthy, if not toxic, fumes; or, rarely, they could explode or catch fire. (And remember, for many substances, both the fumes and liquid are flammable.) Keep in mind that “hazardous” items include things like nail polish remover and room freshener aerosol bottles.

Wet Materials

You can’t store wet materials in a storage unit. That doesn’t mean that if it rains during your move, you can’t place things in the unit. However, if there is any rainwater left on the items, wipe it away and let the item air-dry. Water and other liquids can ecourage mold growth. And if something becomes absolutely soaked, do not put it in the storage unit at all until it is thoroughly dry. That is a lot different than something that merely has spots from a few rain drops.

Explosives and Combustibles

Explosives and combustibles must stay out of your self-storage unit to reduce the possibility of accidental damage to your property or someone else’s. These items include obvious explosives like fireworks, but also household combustibles like aerosol cans.

Find Storage Unit’s Rules and Regulations Ahead of Time

When you rent a storage unit in Sioux City, you need to find out the rules and regulations ahead of time. This way you are fully informed about which items are allowed inside the storage unit. Self-storage unit rules in Sioux City are there to protect your belongings and the belongings of others. If you want climate-controlled storage in Sioux City, contact Olympic Storage.