In case of FIRE.

Recently, while checking on the condition of my cels,(making sure they're not stuck to backing plastic, mould etc) I began to think what other factors could effect them. One word came to mind. Fire.
I know there are much bigger issues to be concerned about in case of fire, ie; personal safety. But I could seriously imagine myself running back into my flaming house trying to grab my cel collection. And I have a feeling I'm not the only one. ;)
Everything I own is more or less replaceable, except them of course.

Does anyone out there have any solutions for such an occurance? Maybe fire proof cases/ boxes etc?

I was considering some sort of fire proof case but then started to wonder if it might damage the cels in other ways. such as not being able to breath.

I know it probably sounds like a strange worry, but still. It's one nonetheless!

Fire wouldn't be as much as problem as the heat. A fireproof box wouldn't work if the heat got so bad the plastic melts.

The best thing to do is to make a fire plan that includes your cels and arrange them in a way that can be grabbed in a hurry.

It isn't strange to worry. I worry about fire too. My solution - keep them in a filing cabnet close to a window and away from things that can catch fire easily. I have thought about buying a fire-proof safe, but like it has been said, the heat wouldn't do them any good either. And besides that, I can't carry a safe! They are too heavy. At least with them in a cabnet near a window I can easily jump in and get them! ^_^ hehe

My suggestion is [i]WHEELS[/i]. Make sure everything is on wheels, be it file cabinet or fire proof box put it on wheels. So when the fire breaks out start pushing!

Hm... I've thought of this over the years and decided the best thing to do is to just insure the damn things. Take plenty of pics, burn them on dvds one in the possession of the insurance company, one stored in a bank safety deposit box, and one at a trusted friends place who does not live near you.

In the end once the item is insured, do your best to store it well, but realize even dealers of valuable collectibles, wine, art and the like separately store their most valued items. As such, separate the most expensive cels into a separate folder and these are not the ones that are the most emotionally important... bottomline which one is worth the most monies? Odds are after careful consideration you'll realize there isn't that much that is valuable in your collection as you once thought.

If this still doesn't help then I'd seriously reconsider collecting cels all together simply b/c by the very nature of this expensive hobby the items we so covet degrade with each and every passing second of everyday! If this is where some feel, then selling off almost all of their cels is probably the most prudent course of action.

Lastly, I am not going to risk by life or that of my loved ones over some bloody piece of acetate. I enjoy my cels and much of the stuff I possess, but hypothetically if someone offered me a good price for most items I own (including noncel items) I'd sell them mainly b/c I'd rather have the monies which I can use for something actually functional (like food, water, and investing). Just my ten cents.