ABSTRACT
This is the first of three chapters dealing with the risks to objects that are just sitting still, waiting to be used. Events and activities outside the museum can have noticeable effects on the collections within. Apart from the immediate damage caused by the release of energy from explosions, earthquakes or torrential rain, there are secondary economic effects of disasters which may affect preservation in the long term. Although managers of collections may not be able to alter the probability of large-scale disasters, there are often simple ways of limiting the extent of damage. Although the probability of smaller internally generated occurrences such as floods and fires cannot be totally eliminated they can be minimized by preventive measures.
