Don t provide a fire an ideal place to start. Unpredictable as the causes of fire may be, proper procedures can offer protection against common causes. Every museum should strictly enforce smoking regulations. Ideally there should be no smoking anywhere in the museum. The entrance to the building should have receptacles for the disposal of cigarettes and other smoking materials.
Many local societies have a kitchen or a place to make coffee.
The museum should prominently post a set of clean-up procedures. Such a list should begin with turning off and unplugging all electrical appliances. Electrical fires are common and often preventable with common sense. Use extension cords in as few places as possible, never overload them, and throw away frayed or worn cords immediately. Historical societies in historic buildings usually inherit poor wiring.