Fire authorities have flagged an above-average bushfire risk across several states this season, so now is a good time to look at what's actually sitting in your shed.

Most of us think about a shed as a place to put things and forget about them. Then summer arrives, and that same shed turns into a sealed metal box sitting in the sun, full of fuel, paint, gas bottles and batteries. None of it is dramatic if you plan for it, but it's worth ten minutes now to get it right before the hot weather really sets in.

We're a family business, not a fire authority, so treat this as practical common sense and not official advice. For rules specific to where you live, your local council and your state fire service (like the CFA in Victoria or the RFS in NSW) are the people to ask.

Your Shed Gets Hotter Than You Think

A shed sitting in direct sun can get a lot hotter inside than the air temperature outside, and it stays hot long after the sun goes down. That matters because plenty of everyday products are labelled to be kept away from heat. Aerosol cans, for example, typically carry a warning not to be exposed to temperatures above about 50°C.

If you only take one thing from this guide, make it this: check the label of anything heat-sensitive before it goes back in the shed for summer.

What to Think Twice About Storing

Gas cylinders (BBQ and camping bottles) Safety guidance generally says to keep LPG cylinders outdoors, upright, in a well-ventilated spot, away from heat and anything that could spark. A closed-up shed in summer isn't that. Check your state energy or gas safety regulator for the rules where you live.

Petrol, mower fuel and fuel containers Keep fuel in proper approved containers, in small amounts, away from heat and ignition sources, and never near a hot motor you've just switched off. If you don't need a big stock of fuel, don't keep one.

Aerosols, paints and solvents These are the classic "forgotten in the corner" items. Check labels, keep them off the floor and out of direct sun spots, and clear out anything old or half-empty that you'll never use. Your local council can tell you where to take it for safe disposal.

Pool and garden chemicals Store them in their original containers, sealed, in a cool, dry spot, and keep different chemicals apart. Never store pool chlorine next to fuels or other chemicals.

Lithium-ion batteries Cordless tool batteries, e-bike batteries and similar are best kept somewhere cool and dry, and not charged unattended in a hot, cluttered shed.

Oily rags Rags soaked in some oils and stains (linseed oil is the well-known one) can heat up and catch fire on their own as they dry. Lay them flat outdoors to dry, or keep them in water in a sealed metal container, instead of scrunching them into a bin or a corner of the shed.

Setting Up Your Shed for Heat

• Ventilation helps. It reduces the heat build-up and cuts condensation at the same time. (Our condensation guide covers practical ways to do this.)
• Think about where it sits. If you have a choice, some afternoon shade will keep the inside noticeably cooler.
• Store things off the floor and keep the most heat-sensitive items on the coolest, lowest shelves, away from the walls that take the most sun.
• Don't overpack. Leave room for air to move and for you to get things out quickly.

Bushfire-Season Basics Around Your Shed

Steel doesn't burn the way timber does, but no shed is fireproof. Heat and embers can still damage what's inside, and what's inside can burn.

• Clear dry leaves, dead grass and loose vegetation from around the shed.
• Keep firewood stacks and other fuel sources well away from the shed and the house.
• Keep flammable liquids and gas out of the shed on days of high fire danger if you can, or at least minimise what's there.
• Check what your local fire authority and council require for outbuildings and clearing where you live. Rules vary a lot depending on your area.
• Know where to get warnings in your state, and have your emergency app set up.

If a fire is near you, your life matters more than anything in the shed. Follow your local emergency advice, and don't go back for belongings.

A Quick Word on Insurance

It's worth a five-minute look at your home and contents policy to see whether it covers items kept in a shed, and what the limits and exclusions are. A lot of people assume it's covered and never check.

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The Short Version

1. A closed shed in the summer sun gets very hot. Check labels before storing anything heat-sensitive.
2. Gas bottles, fuel, aerosols, chemicals, batteries and oily rags all deserve a second thought in summer.
3. Ventilation, a bit of shade and off-the-floor storage make a real difference.
4. Keep the area around the shed clear of dry leaves, grass and firewood.
5. Check your local fire authority's rules, and check your insurance covers what's inside.

Want to prepare your shed for the season? Have a look at our shed maintenance guide, or browse our shed range if it's time for an upgrade.

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FAQs

Q: Is it safe to store gas bottles in a shed?

A: Safety guidance generally recommends keeping LPG cylinders outdoors, upright and in a well-ventilated spot away from heat and ignition sources, rather than in a closed shed. Check your state's gas or energy safety regulator for the rules where you live.

Q: How hot does the inside of a shed get in summer?

A: A shed in direct sun can get significantly hotter inside than the outside air temperature, and it holds that heat well into the evening. That's why heat-sensitive items like aerosols and batteries need extra care in summer.

Q: Is a steel shed fireproof?

A: No. Steel doesn't burn like timber, but heat and embers can still damage the contents of a steel shed, and the contents themselves (fuel, paint, gas) can burn. Check your local fire authority's guidance for outbuildings in your area.

Q: How do I keep my shed cooler in summer?

A: Ventilation, some afternoon shade where possible, storing items off the floor, and not overpacking so air can move are the simplest ways to reduce heat build-up.

Q: Does home insurance cover things stored in a shed?

A: It depends on your policy, since limits and exclusions vary. It's worth checking whether your contents cover includes items in outbuildings and what the limits are.