For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures

or email fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov 

 Fact Sheet 

After the Fire: Advice for Salvaging 

Damaged Family Treasures

Cherished family heirlooms that survive a fire are often covered with 

soot and ash, requiring prompt and gentle attention to prevent 

further damage. The Heritage Emergency National Task Force, cosponsored by FEMA and the Smithsonian Institution, offers these 

basic guidelines from professional conservators. Note that fire 

professionals only recommend salvaging cherished items that can 

be removed safely without sifting through ashes.

General Handling Advice 

• Even though you will be sorely tempted, it is important to 

reduce the amount you handle or touch damaged items. 

Soot’s very fine particles stick to everything, and every 

touch will grind it further into the item. 

• Soot and ash are very abrasive and will further damage 

items through scratching. 

• If your items were exposed to both heat and water, they will 

be even more fragile. 

• Lift your objects carefully and avoid weakened areas; for 

example, support ceramics from the base rather than lifting 

by handles. 

• Wear nitrile or latex gloves when handling objects; the 

greasy residue in soot can be permanently fixed to 

absorbent surfaces by skin oils. 

• Avoid placing pressure on blistered or lifting surfaces, such 

as on paintings or photographs. 

• Place items in supportive boxes or plastic containers until 

you can obtain further advice or are ready to begin 

cleaning. 

• Keep in mind that the longer the soot remains on the item, 

the harder it is to remove. 

Some Simple Cleaning Tips 

• Do not use water – or any other cleaning solution! Water 

will drive soot and ash further into the surface of your item, 

and they will become impossible to remove.

• As soon as possible, vacuum the soot and ash off your 

item.

• Do not vacuum wet or damp items – wait until they are dry.

• It is preferable to use a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.

• Use the vacuum on the lowest setting or insert smaller 

plastic tubes into the main tube to reduce suction.

• Do not use a brush, and do not allow the nozzle to touch 

the surface.

• Vacuum all exposed surfaces before opening out folded 

items such as textiles or books.

Debris and damage after a fire. Photo by FEMA in 2012.

After a Fire

• Call your insurance agent as soon as possible to 

file a claim.

• Personal safety is always the highest priority 

when entering buildings damaged by fire. 

• Check for structural damage before re-entering 

your home to avoid being trapped in a building 

collapse. 

• Never attempt to salvage belongings at the 

expense of your own safety.

• Avoid breathing in or touching hazardous 

materials. Risks in fire-damaged areas can 

include particulates, exposed asbestos, leadcontaining building materials, such as glass and 

lead paint, and chemical residues.

• If water has been used to put out the fire, mold 

may also be an issue and should not be inhaled.

• Wear protective clothing – disposable nitrile or 

latex gloves, safety goggles, protective clothing 

(long-sleeve shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes or 

boots), and an N95 mask or face covering.

• Take photographs of your damaged items for

insurance purposes.
For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/recover/save-family-treasures

or email fema-hentf@fema.dhs.gov

• If you want to remove additional residue, use soot sponges

carefully if the item is robust enough. Cut small pieces of the

dry sponge for more accurate application and economic use.

The dirty surface of the sponge can be cut off to expose a new

cleaning surface. These sponges, often called dry cleaning

sponges, are available at local home improvement stores.

Some Important Considerations

• Shelved books may be charred on the outside but intact inside.

Vacuum the edges before you open the books; don’t worry if

some of the charred bits come off.

• Photograph album pages may be stuck together; do not try to

open them by force. Take them to a conservator for advice.

• Heat can make glass, ceramic, and metal items very brittle;

remember to handle them carefully.

• Fabrics might look intact but may fall apart without very careful

handling.

• Slide supports (sheets, boards, plastic) beneath your

belongings so you can safely carry fragile items.

Contact a Conservator 

Recovering items damaged by a fire is challenging. If a precious 

item is badly damaged, a conservator may be able to help. To 

locate a peer-reviewed conservator, click on the “Find a

Professional” tab on the home page of the American Institute for 

Conservation, www.culturalheritage.org. You could contact the 

conservation/preservation department of a major museum, library, 

or archives for advice or contact the National Heritage Responders 

(see below).

Beware of Increased Flood and Mudslide Risks 

One of the lesser known but critical considerations following a 

wildfire is the increased risk of floods and mudslides, even in 

areas far away from the fire. Properties directly affected by fires, as 

well as those located below or downstream of impacted areas, are 

most at risk, including many properties not previously considered 

as having a moderate or high flood risk. Residents in areas of 

extensive wildfires, or in areas susceptible to flash or winter 

flooding, need to prepare in advance for possible flooding.

Advice by Phone 

Several organizations offer free telephone advice following an 

emergency or disaster:

• The National Heritage Responders are a volunteer cadre of

preservation and conservation experts trained in collections

salvage. Individuals who want to save damaged personal items

can email NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org. Cultural

institutions can call the NHR emergency help line.

• The Preservation Directorate of the Library of Congress provides

a list of emergency web pages of institutions that can assist

individuals and institutions with damaged art and artifacts at

loc.gov/preservation/emergprep/emerother. Some of the

institutions listed offer 24/7 emergency help lines.

Additional Resources 

• After the Fire! Returning to Normal. U.S. Fire

Administration. FA-46/January 2019.

• Soot and Ash Segment from the Field Guide to

Emergency Response video, Foundation for

Advancement in Conservation. A short video

walks you through salvaging items damaged by

soot and water.

• Fire. Chicora Foundation.

• Wildfires | Ready.gov U.S. Department of

Homeland Security.

• Home - Ready for Wildfire“Soot, Char Damage

and Odors on Books & Paper” from the

California Preservation Clearinghouse.

• Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions.

California Division of Occupational Safety and

Health (Cal/OSHA).

FEMA and the Smithsonian 

Institution co-sponsor the Heritage 

Emergency National Task Force, a 

partnership of more than 60 

national service organizations and 

federal agencies created to 

protect cultural heritage from the 

damaging effects of natural 

disasters and other emergencies.