Garden sheds are ideal for extra storage, but it can be hazardous to pile up lots of spare items there
Brits urged to steer clear of keeping six items in sheds(Image: Westend61 via Getty Images)
Garden sheds might seem perfect for stashing extra bits and bobs, but cramming them with the wrong stuff could spell serious trouble. According to specialists, keeping certain items in your outdoor structures can heighten fire risks, attract unwanted pests, and cause damage that might go unnoticed until it’s far too late.
To safeguard your garden and possessions, Christopher Murphy MBE, founder of garden building specialists Dunster House, has revealed a rundown of things that should never find their way into your shed. The specialist has also recommended better storage alternatives.
Paints, solvents and thinners
Christopher explained: “Keeping paints, solvents and thinners in a shed is a common mistake as they are highly sensitive to temperature changes. If the shed is your go-to place for storing paints, it’s quite possible you’ll have to throw them out as part of a spring clean, as cold weather can cause them to freeze and separate. During warm weather, heat can make them unstable or unusable.
“Instead, paint should be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which are typically in a cool, dry, indoor spot (such as a closet or utility room) with a consistent temperature, ideally between 15-25°C, avoiding extreme heat, direct sunlight, and freezing conditions,” reports the Express.
Fertiliser, weed killers and garden chemicals
Whilst it might seem logical to keep garden staples like fertilisers and weedkillers tucked away in a shed, the same doesn’t apply to chemicals, warns the specialist. These items risk clumping together, leaking or deteriorating in damp conditions, whilst extreme temperatures – whether freezing or scorching – can diminish their potency and render them “unsafe” for use.
Fertiliser should be kept out of the shed(Image: Getty)
The specialist warned: “Poorly stored chemicals can also release harmful fumes or pose a risk to pets and wildlife. These products are best kept in their original containers, sealed and stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from living spaces and food items.
“If you’re storing bags of compost and fertiliser in the shed, they should be raised off the floor using pallets, old boards, or bricks. If you have any open bags, seal or transfer them into lidded containers to keep moisture and pests out.”
Electronics and batteries
Temperature swings and dampness can wreak havoc on delicate components, causing corrosion and shortening their lifespan. Your best bet is to keep electronics and batteries inside the house, in a moisture-free, preferably airtight location.
Unwanted visitors present another compelling reason to banish electronics from garden storage. Christopher noted: “Rodents often seek warmth in outbuildings during colder months and may chew through cables and chargers, causing costly damage to electrical equipment.”
All flammable waste, petrol, fuel and oily rags
Christopher continued: “Petrol, propane canisters, paints and some solvents are highly flammable, and even a small spark can pose a serious fire risk, particularly in wooden sheds.
“It’s not just liquid fuels that are dangerous. Oily rags and cloths can self-heat over time and ignite without warning. When stored in enclosed spaces, especially during warmer weather, the risk of spontaneous combustion increases significantly.
“For safety, these items should be stored in a container or structure designed specifically for flammable materials, such as a ventilated metal unit positioned well away from the house or boundary. Fire hazards often stem from small oversights, making this one risk homeowners shouldn’t take.”
Food, pet food or animal food
Anything edible that’s prone to spoiling, attracting unwanted visitors, or deteriorating in fluctuating temperatures and humidity has no place in your shed. The specialist points out that sheds simply aren’t built to maintain the steady, cool conditions necessary for safe food storage.
“Sheds are far better suited to non-perishable items only, and even then, food storage should be kept to a minimum wherever possible.”
Paper and photos
Moisture in the air, swinging temperatures and inadequate airflow can all cause paperwork and photographs to buckle, discolour or even develop mould. Vermin, including mice and rats, can wreak havoc on paper, packaging and stored possessions, leaving them completely ruined.
Crucial paperwork, cherished photographs and treasured keepsakes should always be kept inside the home in a moisture-free, temperature-controlled setting.
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