Advice for salvaging damaged family treasures
When homes are flooded and lives upended, treasured possessions such as family heirlooms, photos, and other keepsakes become more cherished. These valued objects may be saved if untouched by sewage or chemicals.
The Heritage Emergency National Task Force, which is co-sponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, is a coalition of more than 60 national organizations and federal agencies. The Task Force was created to help protect cultural heritage from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Here are some of their suggestions, to start.
Air Dry. Gentle air-drying is best for all your treasured belongings – indoors, if possible. Hair dryers, irons, ovens, and prolonged exposure to sunlight will do irreversible damage. Increase indoor airflow with fans, open windows, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
Handle with Care. Use great caution in handling your heirlooms, which can be especially fragile when wet. Separate damp materials: remove the contents from drawers, take photographs out of damp albums, remove paintings and prints from frames, place paper towels between the pages of wet books.
Clean Gently. Gently loosen dirt and debris on fragile objects with soft brushes and cloths. Avoid rubbing, which can grind in dirt.
Salvage Photos. Clean photographs by rinsing them carefully in clean water. Air-dry photos on a plastic screen or paper towel, or by hanging them in the corner with plastic clothespins. Don’t let the image come into contact with other surfaces as it dries.
Prioritize. You may not be able to save everything, so focus on what’s most important to you, whether for historic, monetary, or sentimental reasons. Damp objects and items that cannot be dealt with immediately should be put in open, unsealed boxes or bags. Photos, papers, books, and textiles can be frozen if you can’t get them dry within 48 hours.
Learn more about salvaging family treasures by visiting www.fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures and culturalrescue.si.edu/who-we-are/hentf.
