--- title: Keeping Items Safe When Disaster Strikes description: Some preparation now can hopefully assure that you may also rescue your precious memories and valued collectibles if conditions allow. image: https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/KeepingItemsSafeWhenDisasterStrikes.png --- - [SHOP PRESERVATION](https://www.gaylord.com/c/Preservation) - [SHOP EXHIBIT](https://www.gaylord.com/c/Exhibit-and-Display) [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) Search toggle - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) Search toggle [![Gaylord Archival Resource Center](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GALogo-Transparent-3.png?width=65&height=79&name=GALogo-Transparent-3.png "Gaylord Archival Resource Center")](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/home) - [PRESERVATION](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/preservation) PRESERVATION - [ARCHIVAL BASICS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/archival-basics) - [COLLECTIBLES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/collectibles-artifacts) - [BOOKS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/books) - [DOCUMENTS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/documents) - [GARMENTS & TEXTILES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/garments-textiles) - [MEDIA](https://info.gaylord.com/resource-center/tag/media) - [PHOTOS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/photos) - [EXHIBIT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit) EXHIBIT - [EXHIBIT CASES](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-cases) - [EXHIBIT PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/exhibit-planning) - [VISITOR ENGAGEMENT](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/visitor-engagement) - [ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control) ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - [EMERGENCY PLANNING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) - [MONITORING](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/monitoring) - [SILICA GEL](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/silica-gel) - [MUSEUM STORAGE](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/museum-storage) - [WEBINARS](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/webinar-archive) Search toggle What are you looking for? Search # Keeping Items Safe When Disaster Strikes ![Keeping Items Safe When Disaster Strikes](https://info.gaylord.com/hubfs/Blog_AK/KeepingItemsSafeWhenDisasterStrikes.png) When a natural disaster strikes or a home emergency occurs, many things will go through your mind. By preparing ahead of time, you can ensure that your precious memories and valuable collectibles can be rescued. The tips below can help you protect treasured objects in the case of an emergency: - Store family heirlooms, collectibles and other treasured pieces in archival-quality enclosures and boxes. Archival materials are designed to help prolong the life of your items for centuries - Consider using Gaylord Archival [DuraShield boxes](https://www.gaylord.com/c/DuraShield%26%238482%3B-by-Gaylord-Archival%26%23174%3B/p/HYBC00029) or plastic sheeting to help prevent damage from moisture and leaky pipes or roofs - Avoid storing items in areas with extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations, like attics, basements & garages - Keep everything in one area so it's easy to evacuate if circumstances allow you to do so safely - When possible, keep collections elevated off the floor to help prevent damage from flooding - Scan and digitize your family documents and photos; be sure a backup is stored elsewhere or in the cloud If your family treasures are damaged in a disaster, you can use these resources from reputable institutions with simple techniques for salvaging items damaged by water or fire, linked below. ### Resources for Flood Damage - [After the Flood: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures](https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_after-flood-advice-salvaging-damaged-family-treasures_06142023.pdf) - FEMA  - [Emergency Salvage of Flood-Damaged Family Papers](https://www.archives.gov/preservation/conservation/flood-damage.html) - U.S. National Archives - [Video on Water Damage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXyA5Dq_jHM) ▶️ - American Institute of Conservators (AIC) ### Resources for Fire Damage - [After the Fire: Advice for Salvaging Damaged Family Treasures](https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf?cacheKey=1787342438458) *-* FEMA - [Video on Soot & Ash](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9i9BfofVFo) ▶️ - American Institute of Conservators (AIC) ### Share: [Share on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/keeping-items-safe-when-disaster-strikes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [Share on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/keeping-items-safe-when-disaster-strikes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/keeping-items-safe-when-disaster-strikes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://info.gaylord.com/resources/keeping-items-safe-when-disaster-strikes&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Keeping%20Items%20Safe%20When%20Disaster%20Strikes) [Environmental Control](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/environmental-control), [Emergency Planning](https://info.gaylord.com/resources/tag/emergency-planning) ## Related posts Resources provided here are based on general circumstances. Depending on the condition and significance of your collection, it may require special care. Certain actions may cause irreversible damage. When in doubt, [Find an Expert \>](https://community.culturalheritage.org/expertsearch) ### Are we missing something? If you can't find the information you're looking for, we want to know! [Suggest a Resource \>](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VFG5D5S) ![Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. Share Tomorrow.](https://info.gaylord.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png?width=500&name=Gaylord%20Archival%20Logos%20-%20Horizontal-02.png "Gaylord Archival: Preserve Today. Share Tomorrow.") # Shop - [Preservation](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Preservation) - [Exhibit & Display](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Exhibit-and-Display) - [Environmental Control](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Environmental-Control) - [Storage & Handling](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Storage-and-Handling) - [Family History/Collectors](http://www.gaylord.com/c/Family-and-Collectors) - [New Products](http://www.gaylord.com/c/New) # Let Us Help You - [Contact](https://www.gaylord.com/contact) - [Returns](https://www.gaylord.com/returns) - [Shipping](https://www.gaylord.com/shipping) - [FAQs](https://www.gaylord.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [100% Satisfaction Guarantee](https://www.gaylord.com/satisfaction-guarantee) - [Catalogs & Guides](https://www.gaylord.com/request-a-catalog) - [Order by Part #](https://www.gaylord.com/quick-order) Copyright © 2025 Gaylord. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.gaylord.com/privacy-policy) | [Accessibility](https://www.gaylord.com/accessibility)