By Fiona Graham, Conservator, Canadian Museum of Nature; Sarah Spafford-Ricci, Royal Saskatchewan Museum and Lisa Kronthal, National Sciences Foundation

Lesson No. 1

• It helps when the firefighters know and love your museum
• Invite firefighters to tour your museum
• Host a party for families of firefighters and police officers

Lesson No.2

• Construction brings extra hazards
• Watch what your contractors are doing
• Develop guidelines for contractors working in museums
• Know what equipment and materials they will be using

Lesson No. 3

• Construction increases the fire risk
• Insist on a fire watch
• Make sure your fire detection and suppression systems are not compromised

Lesson No. 4

• Fire is bad - sprinklers are good
• OR
• A little water is better than too much or none at all

Lesson No. 5

• Consider the fire risk when designing exhibitions and storage layouts
• Don't block sprinklers
• Don't overheat fluid-preserved specimens
• Think twice before designing a labyrinth

Lesson No. 6

• Leaky cases mean dirty specimens
• If an air-tight case is not a good idea, include filtered holes or use positive pressure from a clean air source

Lesson No. 7

• Always clean with dry methods before using wet methods

Lesson No. 8

• Soot is insoluble
• Don't try to "solubilize" soot
• Try to lift it instead
• Oily components will come with the carbon particles

Executive Summary: Planning can make a big difference