Manage Mondays: Tips to Disaster Proof Your Important Documents

Photographer: nuttakit, freedigitalphotos.net

In recent years, many people have suffered from their homes and lives being wrecked by natural disasters. Just last week, the continent of Australia suffered tons of damage from a tsunami and some parts of Washington state are recovering from floods and mud slides. Consequently, anything can happen at anytime, I hope nothing happens, but I want to be prepared just in case. Thus, it is best that we make sure our important documents are safe and secure.  Here are tips on how to disaster proof your important documents.

• Who needs to organize their personal documents?
  • Every household should organize their papers so you will be able to find everything you need at a moments notice.
• What papers should you disaster proof? These are items that come to mind, but if you have other important legal documents you should as those as well.
  • Birth certificates
  • Passports
  • Social security cards
  • Citizenship documents
  • Wills/death certificates
  • Deeds and insurance papers
  • Marriage/divorce certificates
  • Bonds/stock certificates
  • Household inventory of valuable items that you have insured (I recommend adding copies of receipts and pictures on a thumb drive or SD card and putting that drive in your safe)
• Where should you keep them?
  • A safe deposit box that has a lock and key or digital code lock.
  • The box should be water and fireproof.

You want to keep your documents safe from the elements, your children, and natural disasters.  This list is only a start, but hopefully it will get you thinking about the whereabouts of your important documents. If you have anything tips to add, please feel free to share them.