Prevent Storage Unit Fires with Simple Safety Steps (2026)

It’s a scary image. All those memories, that expensive furniture, your kid’s artwork, your business inventory… poof. Gone.

I want you to take a deep breath. Because while yes, fires can happen, almost every major one starts because of a few simple, stupid things that are completely preventable. I’m not a fire marshal, but I’ve been around this industry long enough to see the “before” pictures of disasters. They almost always trace back to stuff we can control.

So let’s talk about it, not in a panic, but in a practical, “let’s-not-be-that-person” kind of way.

The #1 Culprit Isn’t What You Think

First up, the absolute biggest culprit. It’s not faulty wiring in the building (that’s on the facility, and we’ll get to that). It’s what people bring in.

You’d be stunned. Truly. I’ve seen folks try to store the wildest things. The number one rule? If it smells like gas or could explode, it stays in your driveway, not your 10×10.

I’m talking about:

• That half-full gas can for your lawnmower. Just… no. Drain the mower before you store it.
• Propane tanks from your grill. Even the little ones for the camping stove. Nope.
• Old paint cans, paint thinner, turpentine. That stuff is basically napalm in a can.
• Fireworks. I wish I were kidding.
• And here’s a modern one: those cheap hoverboards or e-bike batteries that got damaged. Lithium-ion batteries are no joke if they’re messed up. If it’s puffy or cracked, recycle it, don’t hide it in a box.

Think of your unit like a giant, dry, still box. Now imagine putting something inside that can create an invisible, flammable vapor. All it needs is a single spark from… anything. That’s how a “small fire” becomes a “call the news crews” fire in minutes.

Packing Matters: It’s Not Just Tetris

Now, let’s say you’re a saint. You’ve got none of that. Just boxes of books, grandma’s china, and your off-season clothes. You’re good, right?

Mostly. But how you pack matters more than you think.

Piling everything to the ceiling in a giant Jenga tower isn’t just annoying when you need that one box at the back. It creates heat pockets and, if there was a fire, it gives it all that lovely, fluffy cardboard fuel to spread fast. Leave a little air space up top. Give the walls some breathing room.

And about those boxes—old, dusty cardboard is kindling. Seriously. If you can, spend a few bucks on those plastic bins with the click lids. They’re tougher, they keep the creepy-crawlies out, and they’re way harder to ignite. I use them for the stuff I really care about.

You’re Part of a Community (Seriously)

Here’s the part a lot of people forget: you’re part of a community. Your unit isn’t on an island. The person three doors down might be less careful. So your best defense is being a good neighbor and expecting the same.

See someone rolling a propane tank in? Say something to the manager. It’s not being nosy; it’s protecting your stuff. Notice a light fixture sparking? Report it. Is someone constantly smoking by their unit, tossing butts on the ground? Yep, report that too. We all have to look out for each other.

That guy who parks his truck right in the middle of the driveway, blocking everything, while he spends an hour loading? He’s not just a pain. If a fire truck can’t get through, we’re all screwed. Facilities have clear driveway rules for a reason. Follow them.

How to Spot a Facility That Gives a Damn

This brings me to the most important thing you can do: pick the right facility in the first place.

Don’t just go for the cheapest one. Ask questions. Drive through at night. Is it lit up like a stadium, or is it a dark, creepy parking lot? Is the manager on site, or is it just a bunch of lockboxes?

When you tour, ask them point-blank: “What’s your fire prevention plan?” A good manager will look you in the eye and tell you, with specifics.

For example, at our place—let’s call it A-Affordable Storage, because that’s the one I run—we’re borderline obsessive. Our buildings are steel. We have cameras that we actually monitor, not just have for show. We walk the property every single day, not just to collect rent, but to look for hazards. No weeds piled up, no clutter in the hallways. We have a strict “absolutely no flammables” rule in the lease, and we enforce it. We want you to see a clean, bright, orderly place because that tells you everything about how we handle the stuff you can’t see.

It costs us more to run it this way. And honestly, our prices might be a few bucks higher than the guy with the rusty fence and the potholed lot. But I sleep at night. And I want you to as well.

Your Simple, Human Action Plan

So, your action plan:

1. Purge the poisons from your stuff before you move it in.
2. Pack smart with space and plastic bins.
3. Be a community watchdog. Speak up.
4. Choose a facility that acts like they give a damn.

It really is that simple. It’s not about paranoia. It’s about being a slightly smarter, more prepared version of yourself. Your stuff isn’t just “stuff.” It’s your life in boxes. Treat it, and the place you keep it, with that same respect.

If you walk into a place and it feels neglected, trust that feeling. Your gut is better at this than any checklist. Find a place that feels secure, has a manager who answers your questions without hesitation, and shows pride in what they do. Like ours. We’re not perfect, but we care fiercely about keeping your things safe. Because it’s not just storage to us, either. It’s our responsibility.

Hope that helps. Really. Now go check your garage for that old gas can. You know the one.