<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif"><b>Help for collections damaged by fire
or flood</b></font><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Many people affected by flood and fire
in Victoria, NSW and Queensland may be looking for advice on how to salvage
their family heirlooms in the coming weeks.</font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">While many things will be permanently
damaged or lost entirely, it may be possible to salvage surviving family
photographs, documents, books, jewellery, medals, pictures and other keepsakes.</font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Links to online resources about salvaging
fire and flood-damaged material can be accessed via the front page of the
AICCM website (www.aiccm.org.au). </font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">If you know of someone who is looking
for assistance in such matters, please direct them to this website or suggest
that they call a State or National cultural organisation, and ask to speak
to someone in the Conservation Department. </font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Private and consultant conservators
can be located via the AICCM's Directory of Members in Private Practice
- go to www.aiccm.org.au and follow the link to "Find a Conservator".</font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Health and safety should remain everyone's
top priority:</font><ul><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Anyone attempting to salvage their possessions
should wear protective clothing - especially gloves, masks and eye protection.
</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Never attempt to salvage belongings
at the expense of your own safety. </font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Avoid breathing in or touching hazardous
materials.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Risks in fire-damaged areas can include
particulates, exposed asbestos, lead-containing building materials and
chemical residues. Some objects themselves can pose health hazards when
damaged - e.g. lead-containing glass, lead paint, objects treated with
pesticides etc. If water has been used to put out the fire, mould may also
be an issue.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Risks in flood-affected areas include
mould, bacteria, disease pathogens and exposure to waste matter and effluents
carried with flood waters.</font></ul><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">General handling advice:</font><ul><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Minimise handling of damaged material
- handling surfaces can drive soot and other particulates further into
fabrics and other porous materials and make them impossible to remove.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Avoid handling objects by damaged or
weakened areas - e.g support ceramics from the base, rather than lifting
by handles.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Avoid placing pressure on blistered
or lifting surfaces - e.g. on paintings and photographs.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Place items in supportive boxes or plastic
containers until you can obtain further advice.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Keep dirty, wet or fire-damaged items
separate from cleaner/drier items to prevent contamination.</font><li><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Place wet items in areas with good air
circulation to aid drying and to help prevent mould growth.</font></ul><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">The Australian Institute for the Conservation
of Cultural Materials (AICCM) is the professional organisation for conservators
in Australia.</font><br><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">www.aiccm.org.au</font><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">secretariat@aiccm.org.au</font><br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">(03) 9013 0933 </font>This message and any attachment is intended only for the use of the Addressee and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED and CONFIDENTIAL If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please delete all copies of the message and its attachments and notify the sender immediately. Thank you.<BR>