During an indoor environmental emergency, the contents inside an affected room are at risk of contamination — even after containment is set up.

It is important to remove critical and high-value items as early as possible if conditions are safe to do so.

Prioritize removal of items that:

• Cannot be easily replaced: family heirlooms, keepsakes, vital documents, sentimental items.
• Would be difficult or costly to decontaminate:
  • Electronics (laptops, computers, stereo systems)
  • Musical instruments (guitars, pianos, violins)
  • Artwork, leather goods, upholstered furniture
  • Important books, papers, and archival materials

When relocating these items:

• Move them to a low-traffic, clean area of the home, preferably behind a closed door.
• Cover items temporarily with clean plastic sheeting if additional protection is needed.
• Avoid bringing contaminated items into clean areas. Wipe down nonporous items with a clean, damp cloth if needed before moving them.

If the situation is too dangerous to safely remove items (such as active flooding, structural risk, or extensive contamination), leave them in place and document their condition for later evaluation.

The goal is not to rescue everything — it is to protect the most critical, sensitive, and irreplaceable possessions first.