Britons could be losing hundreds of pounds this winter by storing certain items in their garden sheds, according to an expert. Research has found that households risk damaging items worth an average of £540 by keeping them in sheds where poor insulation, mould, and humidity can cause harm.
Sam Jenkinson, a garden building expert at Tiger Sheds, has identified six items that should never be stored in a shed over winter. These include power tool batteries, which can corrode, leak, or freeze in cold weather; pet food, which can freeze and attract pests; and paint, which can separate and become unusable in unheated areas.
Canned food is also at risk, as cold temperatures can cause cans to expand and burst, making the contents unsafe. Fabrics and paper can mildew, fade, and become nesting areas for mice and insects. Liquid pesticides may crystallise and coagulate in cold weather, losing their effectiveness.
Jenkinson advises removing batteries from power tools and storing them indoors, keeping pet food and bedding inside the home, and storing paint in a temperature-controlled space. For pesticides, only dry varieties should be kept in sheds as they can withstand frost.
