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Audio Guidance: Preparing For, Responding To, and Recovering From an Emergency

What Can I Do To Prepare For, Respond To, and Recovering From An Emergency?

What can I do to prepare for a disaster?

Proper storage is the best defense against disaster. Basements and attics, the most common storage areas in homes, are more likely to experience the effects of a weather emergency. Basements ⅛ flood and roofs leak.

Audio and video materials should be stored on a climate-controlled floor of your home, in breathable plastic containers, and in an area that is not exposed to large swings in temperature. Avoid storing your materials in a non-climate-controlled basement or on the floor where it could be exposed to water. A damp environment may accelerate conditions such as vinegar syndrome or encourage mold growth on the materials. More information on storage can be found in the Storing Physical Copies section.

 

Quick Tips for Disaster Recovery

  • Do not discard contaminated items. In many cases, they are recoverable.
  • Do not play back contaminated items.
  • Separate affected items from other items to avoid further contamination.
  • Contaminated items should be cleaned by a trained professional.

How can I salvage my damaged materials?

Should a disaster occur, how you best respond will depend on the type of media. Below are links to recovery and response methods from Preservation Programs at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for common audio and video media types, and a link to general information.

Where can I find more information?

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