Collections often begin quietly. A piece of colored glass catches the light in a window. A favorite record brings back the sound of a certain decade, a certain dance, or a certain person. A family heirloom is passed from one generation to the next, carrying with it a story that may be too meaningful to place a price on. Over time, these individual objects become more than things. They become markers of memory, identity, family, and personal history.

Unfinished attics often feel like the perfect out-of-sight storage solution. However, extreme temperature swings, humidity, dust, and pests can quickly damage belongings stored there. Before placing anything overhead, here are seven items you should never store in an unfinished attic — plus safer alternatives inside your home.