DON’T THROW IT AWAY: TIPS TO SAVE FAMILY TREASURES
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240617/dont-throw-it-away-tips-save-family-treasures]


Release Date: 
6월 17, 2024 

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. -- Arkansans who had family treasures, heirlooms,
photos and books damaged during the severe storms, straight-line
winds, tornadoes and flooding, shouldn’t throw them away just yet.
They may be salvageable and expert advice is available to help.

Here are some tips on how to save some of your family treasures:

	* Flood water may be contaminated. Wear protective gloves, clothing
and goggles.
	* If an object is still wet, rinse it gently with clean water. If
dry, remove silt and other foreign material with a soft brush or damp
cloth.
	* Air dry wet things indoors. Sunlight might be too intense. Keep
humidity as low as possible to prevent mold accumulation.
	* Don’t try to separate photos or negatives that are stuck
together. Soak them in water for up to 48 hours until you can safely
pull them apart. Hang them with clips or clothespins to dry.
	* Put wet books in a sturdy covered plastic container, spine side
down. Place the container in a freezer and keep it there for several
weeks, even months. Then remove and let dry.
	* With fabrics or textiles, remove mud and debris with gently flowing
clean water or fine spray from a hose. Press out the excess water with
your hand. Do not try to wring out the water. Allow to dry.
	* Clean wooden objects (like furniture) with a damp sponge; blot and
let dry slowly inside the house, not under the sun.
	* Rinse metal objects with clear water and blot dry immediately with
a clean, soft cloth. Fans or low-heat hairdryers will hasten drying
rate.
	* For broken pottery or ceramics, put all the pieces in an open
container and mark what it is. Don’t try to glue the pieces back
together until they are dry. And watch for mold. If mold appears,
spray the pieces with Mold-Ex or a similar product.

American Institute for Conservation and the Foundation for Advancement
in Conservation [https://www.culturalheritage.org/home] provides
advice on the proper care and maintenance of family heirlooms as well
as a search tool to find local conservation professionals that can
help salvage photos, books, textiles, paintings, wooden furniture and
other valuable objects.

For the latest information visit fema.gov/disaster/4788
[https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4788]. Follow the FEMA Region 6 X
account at X.com/FEMARegion6 [https://x.com/FEMARegion6] or on
Facebook at facebook.com/FEMARegion6/.
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