A concrete garage can be an easy dumping ground, especially for families who need additional storage space. But what might be a quick decision to moving something out of the way could actually damage the items you are storing if you keep them there for a long time. So what common household items are dangerous or not suitable to be stored in a concrete garage?

Tinned Food

Although tinned food such as tomatoes, peas and beans have a very long shelf-life, the expiration date is severely shortened if the tinned food is stored in a concrete garage during the summer months as the heat causes the food inside to spoil quickly. Equally, if your tinned food is stored in the garage during winter the food is likely to freeze, they can be thawed but the quality of food is likely not to taste the same. It is also strongly advised that fresh food not be stored in a garage as this will attract rodents.

Propane

It is highly risky to store a substance as inflammable as propane in your concrete garage, especially if the garage is joined to the main house. Propane should only be kept with your grill outside under a waterproof cover where the tank is well-ventilated, ready for use in the summer.

Open stacks of linens or paper goods

If rodents have been attracted to your garage by food, it is likely that if there is paper or fabric readily available they will make a nest. Even stacks of cardboard boxes are tempting to a rat looking for a new home, remember to recycle what you can, if you have to store clothing in the concrete garage be sure to put them in plastic boxes, but ultimately just remove it from the garage or you may have an infestation on your hands.

Your important documents

You should never keep your important documents in the garage, not only are they at risk of becoming rat bedding but if there is a leakage in the concrete garage the documents could be damaged. If the documents are bank statements for example, it is especially carless of if the garage is broken into the thieves may be able to steel your identity too.

Refrigerator

Less of a safety warning and more of a helpful tip. It may be convenient to keep an extra fridge or freezer in the concrete garage, however, during the summer months temperature in the garage can rocket causing the appliance to work harder and run up your energy bills.

Paint

if you have recently decorated your home, you may be left with extra tins of pains, although it is smart to save a can or two for the odd touch up or another project, it is not smart however to keep the paint in the concrete garage. An opened tin of paint won’t last long if it is exposed to high temperatures and may darken in colour, develop a potent smell or have a weaker consistency. Additionally cans of paint that are stored on a cement floor are likely to rust faster than those stored on a shelf in a shed.

Hopefully by warning you of these items it may have saved you from disaster. Your concrete garage shouldn’t be a place to store everything. Only store items that won’t be effected by changing temperature and you can replace in the event of accidental damage.