Man, can we chat for a second? About something a little… uncomfortable?

I was driving home from work the other day and saw a billboard for fire safety. You know the kind. And my brain, because it’s apparently always at work, immediately jumped to our storage units. And I thought, “Man, I hope everyone storing their stuff with us actually gets this.”

It’s not the fun part of the job. Talking about disasters. But man, it might be the most important. Because your unit isn’t just full of stuff. It’s your old life, your new life waiting to happen, your kid’s artwork, your seasonal wardrobe… It’s a museum of you. And the idea of being threatened by a fire? It’s horrible.

So, let’s just have a real, human conversation about it. No corporate fluff. No scary warnings. Just you and me.

The Stuff You Wouldn’t Think Twice About (But Maybe You Should)

Everyone knows not to store gasoline. Duh. But the real dangers are the ones that look innocent. They’re the things you packed in a hurry, thinking “Ah, it’ll be fine.”

I’m talking about:

That Old Electronics Box:

You know the one. It’s got three old laptops, a dozen mystery power cords, and that power bank that sometimes gets really hot when you charge it. Here’s the thing: old lithium-ion batteries are like little grudges. If they’re damaged or just old, they can hold a serious charge and then… well, they can decide to vent that energy all at once. And that means heat. And smoke. It happens way more than you’d think.

The “I’ll Deal With This Later” Project Box:

This is the big one. It’s got the leftover cans of stain from when you refinished the table last summer. And the rags. Oh man, the rags. If those oil-soaked rags (linseed oil is a major culprit) are crumpled up in a plastic bag or a box… they can create their own heat as the oil dries. No spark needed. They can just… start smoldering. It’s called spontaneous combustion, and it sounds like a myth but it’s 100% real. We had a fire scare years ago from exactly that. It sticks with you.

The “It Still Works!” Appliance:

The space heater smells a little dusty when it runs. The vintage lamp with a slightly cracked cord. We figure if it’s unplugged, it’s safe. But old, faulty wiring can be a problem all on its own.

See? It’s not the obvious stuff. It’s the normal, everyday clutter of our lives that can accidentally cause a huge problem.

How to Be a Storage Unit Safety Ninja (Without Much Effort)

Okay, so that was the scary part. Sorry. Now for the easy part—how to be brilliant at this.

First, do a 5-minute “idiot check.”

Next time you’re at your unit, just take a quick look. See that gas can for the lawnmower? Yeah, take it home. Those old paint cans? Maybe it’s time for a hazardous waste day. It’s the number one thing you can do. And it’s the number one rule we’re sticklers about at 3D Storage. It’s not to be annoying; it’s because we’ve seen what happens when people ignore it.

Second, become best friends with plastic totes

I get it. Cardboard boxes are free from the grocery store. But they’re basically paper and glue—prime fuel for a fire. Plastic totes are a line of defense. They’re tougher, they keep moisture out, and they’re harder to ignite. It’s one of the easiest upgrades you can make.

Third, don’t be a Tetris master

I know the urge to pack every single cubic inch is powerful. But fight it. Leave a little space. An aisle. Some room around the walls. This helps with air circulation (goodbye, musty smells!) and can seriously slow down a fire, giving our systems more time to work.

What We’re Doing On Our End (Because It’s a Team Sport)

Look, you can do everything perfectly, but if we’re not holding up our end of the bargain, it’s all for nothing. So let me tell you what we’re doing over here at 3D Storage to make sure we can look you in the eye.

We didn’t just throw up some metal buildings and call it a day. We thought about this.

• It’s more than just cameras. Yeah, we have cameras. Everyone does. But we also have heat sensors and smoke detectors in every single hallway. They’re wired directly to a system that doesn’t just ring a bell in an office—it calls the fire department. Immediately.
• We sprung for the sprinklers. This was a massive expense. A HUGE one. A lot of places skip it. We didn’t. Because a sprinkler system is the difference between a contained incident and a total loss. It was a no-brainer for us.
• We’re actually here. Our manager lives nearby. He’s on the property constantly. He knows the customers. He knows when something looks out of place. That human element—someone who cares—is something you can’t replace with all the technology in the world.

We built this place like we were storing our own family’s things. Because your family’s things are your world. And they deserve that level of respect and protection.

The Last Piece of Advice (Please, Just Do This One Thing)

Alright, I’m almost done. But I need you to promise me you’ll do this one thing.

Call your insurance company.

I’m serious. Pick up the phone. Say this: “Hi, I’ve rented a storage unit. Does my renter’s/homeowner’s policy cover my belongings there fully?”

Often, there are limits. And you don’t want to find out what those limits are after something has already happened. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re fully covered is… everything. It lets you truly relax.

That’s the whole point, right? We’re here to give you a safe, secure place for your life’s chapters. We take that job incredibly seriously.

Thanks for listening.