I'm considering stacking plastic containers to store flammable items like paper, fabric, and perfume. Since plastic is flammable, I'm worried about fire hazards. Metal containers are non-flammable, but they do conduct heat. I'm guessing that as long as the containers aren't exposed to direct sunlight, the contents won't heat up enough to catch fire, even during heat waves if the A/C fails. Are there better non-flammable materials than metal for storage containers that are still lightweight and easy to handle? Also, where can I find space-efficient options?
3 Answers
The fire risk you're dealing with is a common concern! In modern homes, everything is flammable to some degree. If you're not storing a lot or particularly flammable materials, plastic should be fine. Using metal isn’t going to drastically reduce risk unless you’re looking into specialized fire-rated containers.
Realistically, no container is going to make a huge difference in a fire scenario. If there’s a fire in your home, anything flammable is at risk of catching, no matter how you store it. Your best bet is to consider a fire safe or keeping really valuable items off-site. And remember, sprinkler systems can save lives, but they won't always protect your belongings completely.
Honestly, if your home isn’t built with concrete, the fire risk from surrounding flammable materials is already high. Focus on preventing ignition sources more than worrying about the containers themselves. It's tough because anything stacked up like that can accelerate a fire, so just be careful with what’s around it.