The Smart Guide to Storing Unusual Items

Updated on June 2, 2023
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It is amazing how easy it is to accumulate stuff. But when what seemed like a fun pile of projects becomes an overbearing pile of work, it may be time to downsize and store some of those valuables for the future.

As we add on more years, we tend to also add on more belongings. Paperwork too valuable to throw away, a collection we inherited from relatives, gifts from the kids, souvenirs from special trips, and family heirlooms make up just some of the stuff that can eventually overrun our lives.

Many of our keepsakes have monetary valuable, such as a Granddads’ Winchester rifle or the ’57 Cadillac in the garage, while other items have more sentimental value such as parents’ marriage certificates, children’s birth announcements, or the grandkids’ report cards. Whether cash value or intrinsic, all seem important to us and all have their individual storage requirements.

Methods of storage depend on the type of valuables we want to preserve. Uncle Roy’s release papers from WWII for instance, require different storage considerations as those of the hunting rifle and scope under the clothes pile in our closet.

Read on for storage tips for some of the more unusual items.

Storing Documents

When storing documents, consider visiting your local library not only for a wealth of knowledge on the shelves, but also for invaluable information gained from years of experience by the librarians themselves. Many librarians have been trained in the care of precious documents and can be a valuable source of information regarding the preservation of your paper treasures for future generations.

Local museums are another source of valuable information and may have special tips on storing documents in your local area regarding temperature, humidity, and insect control. Many of us have felt the disappointment of rediscovering the family Bible, only to find its browned papers eaten by paper destroying insects.

When storing your paper documents and photos, keep them in a humidity-controlled environment in an acid-free container. Documents and photos need protection from light, heat, and humidity, as well as pests to ensure their preservation.

Storing Firearms and Accessories

Are you one of the millions of Americans who keep firearms and firearm accessories in your home? There are several considerations when storing firearms, and laws that you should abide by – you can see these over at https://gunlawsuits.org/gun-laws/. Many owners of rifles and shotguns prefer to store their arms by displaying them in gun cabinets, which are usually constructed with wood and feature glass front doors. When choosing a case, there are many things to consider such as price, portability, and safety—but above all, be sure the armaments can be fixed securely inside the case itself and that the case can be bolted to the wall for safety.

For those wanting an out-of-sight option with emphasis on security, consider a heavy duty, reinforced steel residential or commercial gun vault. Offering triple plated steel protection from fire and thieves, these ultra-storage units can accommodate 30 or more firearms and are equipped with multiple locking bolts and steel gussets, providing additional protection from prying thieves.

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