If you’re like most homeowners, part of your basement is for storage. But even a well-finished basement can be prone to temperature fluctuations, dampness…even mold. These conditions can be harmful to many of the items that you might be tempted to keep there but shouldn’t.  Take the following, for example:

Antique Furniture – If you need to store a piece of furniture, see if a friend or relative has room for it inside their home. Extreme temps and exposure to moisture can cause would to warp, swell, and shrink. Plus, if your basement is below ground, it can attract insects and small rodents that can turn your treasured pieces into their home-sweet-home.

Precious Memories – Want to hang onto years of photos, special birthday cards, or your child’s handprint turkey from preschool? Store them in an air-tight container above ground prevent photos from sticking together and artwork from buckling.

Clothing and Linens – Keep clothing and linens in tightly sealed plastic containers and store them in temperature-controlled spaces. For added protection, toss in some silica gel packets to prevent moisture damage.

Firewood – Firewood stored in a basement can easily rot from moisture. Store firewood on an elevated area away from your home to deter insects and other critters from making their way indoors.

Food – Because basements can be prone to temperature variations, even non-perishable food items can become compromised.

Important Documents – Don’t store important documents such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax records either. Your best bet is to store important papers in a locked fireproof box.

Fire Hazards – Never store propane tanks and other potentially flammable chemicals in the basement as they pose a fire hazard when exposed to heat from your water heater, furnace, and clothes dryer.

Basements are often overlooked as part of home security systems. Is yours as well protected as it could be from burglars, fire, and carbon monoxide leaks? Contact Now Security Systems today for a free in-home analysis of how we can improve home security in your basement and elsewhere.