[Mike-in-WV]

Sitting in my shop today having a cup of coffee and just looking around, maybe that was my first mistake,Lol. One half of my shop has all my power tools like band saw, table saw ,drill press and so on . In the back is an open bay about 14x14 that holds my generator to run the house when the power goes out and my tractor and so on. My shop section is about 18x20 with heat and air and a back porch and all seperate from the house. Anyway I was looking at all my archery stuff and things that I have made over the years including some of my carvings when for some reason I just ask myself "WHATIF" what if there was a FIRE in here??? It would all be gone... Sooooo starting tomarrow some of the things will be in the house , just to many things that I can't replace if they were all lost in a fire. At least this way if one or the other catches on fire some will be saved. I'm also going to give some thigs to my kids and grandkids now instead of later, Mike

[Colin_Partridge]

Mike,
You are absolutly right not only should you maybe move some to the house but also insure it just in case of a flood,fire, or even theft. A couple of weeks ago I bundled up a few tools and sent them off to Rick at Little Shavers for sharpening. It didnt even put a dent into my tools but when I totaled them up in order to insure them they were over $1000.00. I would probably guess that I must have over $5000.00 in knifes,chisels and gouges alone not to mention all of my power tools. So I am going to document them all next week for that exact reason if I had a fire I would never be able to remember each and every tool. It is an excellent topic I am sure that most of us are in the same boat we collect all of these tools and never make an inventory of them.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

hummmm, how about moving everything out of the house and into the shop and everything in the shop to the house, the tools would be safer then!

[Mike-in-WV]

Hi-Ho, Not by the time my wife got done with me,Lol.

Colin, I have my tools insured but I'm sure it's not enough. I will check on that , Thanks, Mike

[rick-in-seattle]

That is a concern for all of us, woodcarvings make excellent fuel.
I worry about my collection of vintage carvings; many by what I consider the masters of caricature.

Check your smoke detector batteries.

[squbrigg]

Good thread Mike, makes you think. Couple of easy things to do to help easy your minds. 1) most of us on here have digital camera's....go around your house and shoot everything you own....everything. Tools, big and small, cloths, china, collectables, jewlery, paintings, ...the works. Then store the images on a CD and keep in a safe place other than your home. (bank, friends, relatives, lawyers....)
2) keep a small fire extinguisher handy, a good one or better two, dry chemical, and have it visible! (One by your kitchen and one by your shop) Most house fires start small and can be contained if found quickly.
3) Keep lots of smoke/heat detectors and keep the batteries fresh.
4) Chemicals/finishes in the shop....read the labels and take appropriate action in storage and use, watch your used rags and keep a metal can with a good lid handy just for their use. Even if a used rag spontanious combust, the flames will be contained to just the can.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Prevention.

Good idea Mike, some forethough can save a real tragedy. I think I remember that there are some firefighter carvers on here too, perhaps they have some suggestions.

Bob

[Nancy_G]

Just a few months ago husband and I were looking at some of the various things we've collected over the years ( decoy carvings, Christmas ornaments and - believe it or not - stuffed animals). We wondered if our great home owners insurance covered such things and phoned them ... IT DOESN'T. Home owners insurance covers the things "normally" found in a home, not extensive collections. They directed us to a place that writes policies to cover such items.
It involved days of photo taking, making lists, etc. but it turned out to be not very expensive per year.
I strongly suggest you call your insurance agent and ask about this.
We do have fire extinguisers all over the place, smoke dectectors, the house is "wired" (alarm system - burgular/fire) but nothing, no amount of money, could replace some of the treasures we have have. So we're real fanatics about prevention.
But - when making the lists my tools- my precious tools - didn't enter my little mind!!! YIKES

[Big_Al]

I'm in the process of building a new shop in the basement - 14 x 30 with a bathroom. I have two sprinkler heads in the ceiling but wonder what would happen if there was a fire and they went off! Scary thought. Big Al

[Mike-in-WV]

My brother is a retired Fire Chief from Akron Ohio and my sister is a retired Sag. Detective from the police dept. So I have the security and alarms and fire extienguisers but none of that will help if your not there or if you live like I do on top of a mountain with a volunteer fire dept 8 miles away. The closest neighbor is .5 miles away
It may be a good idea to get a fire proof safe to store at least some of the collectables like Nancy and Rick have. The insurance can't replace them or your prized carvings. We can't save them all without going overboard on the protection thing but we can save the ones we love the most .
Good idea on all the pictures! Mike

[Hugh]

Dont think your over reacting Mike insurance is the best way to go. My house and shop policy covers everything but my carvings, and my old decoy collection, the insurance company wont insure them. I guess they have no actual proven value??