Fireworks in self storage

Independence Day 2024 has passed. You and your family attended a patriotic parade and enjoyed a delicious picnic. You then capped off the day off with a dazzling fireworks display in your own backyard. The kids loved using sparklers and various novelty items, and the adults were careful to create a show that was both magical and safe.

After a spectacular day of fun, you may have leftover boxes of fireworks and sparklers. You’ve decided that the best way to store them is to pack them in sturdy cardboard boxes and stash them in your self storage unit. This is not only a bad idea but prohibited at most self storage facilities.

Never Store Fireworks in Your Self Storage Unit

Storage facilities like Modern Storage Solutions are committed to the safety of their tenants, guests, and employees. Anything that can cause damage to your belongings or those of other tenants is prohibited. Storing fireworks is against the policy of most self storage facilities due to the high risk of explosions.

Storing explosive materials is not worth the risk of serious injury. Remember that storing unauthorized items can make your self storage insurance or tenant protection plan invalid. Understanding the items that are banned from self storage will mitigate your risk of catastrophic loss.

Below is a list of the most common items that you are prohibited from storing in your self storage unit. You can get a more comprehensive list by asking the manager at Modern Storage Solutions.

• Flammables
• Explosives (including fireworks)
• Radioactive materials
• Lead paint, asbestos, urea-formaldehyde, petroleum products, or methane
• Medical waste
• Plants
• Firearms and munitions
• Food and pet food
• Stolen goods
• Cash (not covered by insurance)

If you have unused fireworks that you need to store, stay safe by following the guidelines below.

Tips to Help You Store Fireworks Safely

• Tip 1: Depending on your location, it may not be legal to store fireworks on your property. If you’re considering fireworks storage in a shed or other outbuilding, check your city or county ordinances. Verify that storing them on your property is permitted.
• Tip 2: Keep in mind that high temperatures do not ignite fireworks. It’s safe to store them in a hot, dry environment. Only an open flame, match, or lighter will set them off.
• Tip 3: To be safe, unused fireworks must be stored in a secure place away from your home and family. If you’re storing them on your property, the best place is a locked shed that is a good distance from your house. Don’t store them near ignitable, flammable materials like oil, gasoline, water heaters, or any kind of open flames.
• Tip 4: Fireworks should never be stored in cardboard boxes. Not only is cardboard flammable, but if there are unforeseen leaks or flooding, it will not protect your fireworks from water. Fireworks that have become soaked are dangerous and unstable.The best solution is a metal storage container. Don’t overpack the box and crush the lower layers. This will ruin the fireworks for later use.
• Tip 5: Never tell your children where the fireworks are stored, and keep them out of the reach of pets.
• Tip 6: It goes without saying that fire extinguishers should be kept near the fireworks storage area.
• Tip 7: Wet fireworks become unstable, and it could be dangerous to dry them and try to reuse them. If they do get wet, they should be completely soaked and then discarded.
• Tip 8: If fireworks are stored properly and kept dry, the chemicals do not deteriorate or become unstable. If no moisture is allowed into the packaging, fireworks can last 50 years and perform as if they were new.

Now that you know the best way to store your fireworks, enjoy this interesting Fourth of July trivia from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

• July 4, 1776: A peak into Thomas Jefferson’s “Weather Memorandum Book” tells us that the weather was cloudy, the temperature 76ºF.
• July 4, 1776: The Declaration of Independence was signed by only two men on July 4, 1776—John Hancock and Charles Thompson.
• July 4, 1777: During the celebration in Philadelphia, a ship fired a 13-gun salute to honor the 13 colonies, and the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.
• July 4, 1826: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson—signers of the Declaration of Independence who each later became president—died on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration.
• July 4, 1884: The Statue of Liberty was formally presented to the United States by the people of France.
• July 4, 1911: It was a hot Fourth of July in New England. All-time state records were set in Nashua, New Hampshire (106°F), and Vernon, Vermont (105°F).
• July 4, 1938: The Fourth of July was declared a national holiday.

Enjoy celebrating America’s freedom and independence, but stay safe by being extra cautious when using and storing fireworks. Never keep leftover fireworks in your self storage unit, and keep them protected and a safe distance from your house when you’re storing them on your property.