Jennifer,

I would suggest wearing rubber gloves and unscrewing the cap on the
lamp that opens the reservoir (assuming there is one) and using a
funnel, gently pour the kerosene out into a glass container (do this
ourdoors - or in a well ventillated area). Once empty let the lamp dry
out. Store the container where flamables are stored - either in a a
safety cabinet or shed (perhaps where landscaping has their mowers,
gasoline, etc.)

You can dispose of the kerosene at any home recyling day - check with
your city or county government as to when that will happen.

Cheers!
Dave


On 7/28/06, Laughlin, Jennifer <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> David-
> Thanks for the reply. I actually have no intention to use the lamp as a light source, I simply need to process and accession the lamp. But, with the kerosene oil in the lamp, I am not sure how to do so safely and rid/dispose of the oil without harming the lamp (or myself). Any other suggestions?
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Museum discussion list on behalf of David Harvey
> Sent: Fri 7/28/2006 11:46 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Kerosene Lamp-- to empty or not to empty?
>
>
>
> As a professional conservator my opinion is that there is just too
> much risk to have a flamable/accelerant such as kerosene present
> within a collection or a historic or museum structure that is open to
> the public, not to mention spaces that are frequented by staff.
>
> To use a reproduction lamp in a living history context with trained
> staff there to monitor and properly tend the lamp is one thing, but to
> leave it sitting and unattended is another.
>
> A battle that I constantly fought was the use of wax candles in
> historic structures for living history programs. Real candles drip on
> everything around and they can corrode brass and stain textiles, and
> are a very real fire hazzard. There are plenty of realistic
> alternatives to both candles and other historic light sources that are
> available (see the special issue of the APT Journal on Lighting in
> Historic Structures, 1999)
>
> Cheers!
> Dave
>
> David Harvey
> Conservator
> Los Angeles, California
>
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