When packing your Kelowna storage container this winter, certain items will require a little extra forethought to protect them properly.
Storing your belongings in Kelowna storage containers is a great way to free up space in your home, even in winter. There are many items that can be stored outdoors in portable storage containers without any extra precautions. However, there are a number of things that will require a little extra attention.
As we all know, winter temperatures in the Okanagan can dip well below zero anytime between October and April (and sometimes beyond that). These extreme conditions can damage certain items and their components. Here are a few things that will fair a lot better if you take the time to store them properly.
1. Fragile Items
Cold temperatures can cause certain materials to become brittle, and therefore, easier to break. Sometimes, even lifting a box containing these fragile items is enough to cause them to crack or break.
Some of these cold-sensitive materials include:
- Glass
- Plastic
- Ceramics
- Rubber
To ensure things like vases, dishes and glassware are protected, it's a good idea to use plenty of packing material to keep them from shifting. As an added precaution, clearly mark the box as fragile with a felt pen and then store it on the top of other boxes.
2. Liquids
Water and many other liquids can freeze in extreme cold. When packing your Kelowna storage containers, make sure you don't overlook any belongings that contain liquid, such as:
- Ornaments (i.e. snow globes)
- Beverages (pop, beer, juice etc.)
- Certain cleaning supplies
- Children's toys
When liquid freezes, it can expand to the point where it breaks the container. The last thing you want is to open your portable storage container in spring and find a puddle, or worse yet, water-damaged furniture.
You're better off storing these items in a temperature-controlled environment. To learn more about this, read our post: Heated Storage Containers: 5 Items that Need Temperature Control.
3. Vehicles
It's not really the vehicle that you have to worry about. It's certain components that you need to be aware of. After all, people park their cars outside all winter long. The difference is they are driven frequently. It's when they sit unused that you need to use a little forethought.
Batteries: Cold temperatures have an adverse effect on batteries. If they aren't charged periodically in cold temperatures, either by using the vehicle regularly or by keeping it topped up with a trickle charger, they'll stop working altogether.
Tires: Tire pressure is also affected by temperature. The colder it gets, the further the pressure drops, which could result in a flat tire. Also, the rubber compound in tires is more prone to drying out if they're left out in the open.
So, while it's OK to store vehicles in your Kelowna storage container (provided they fit, of course), it's advisable to remove the batteries and monitor your tire pressure.
This applies to other items that contain batteries:
- Remote controls
- Toys
- Electronics
If you are looking to store any of these items in a portable storage container or Kelowna storage unit, Space Centre Storage offers temperature controlled solutions to protect your assets.
Kelowna storage containers are a great way to free up space in your home, while keeping your belongings easily accessible. Call the storage experts at the Space Centre to learn about our MIBOX portable storage containers.