| No one should live in constant fear of a disaster. | | | | you or your family member have an emergency |
| Thankfully, chances are very good you'll never | | | | medical bracelet as well. |
| experience one. But unfortunately, the reality is | | | | 4. Gather all your important documents such a |
| that disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires, and | | | | birth certificate, deeds, titles, passports, etc. into |
| terrorist acts are not as unlikely as they used to | | | | one place. Scan them into your computer so you |
| be. So being at least reasonably prepared for an | | | | have a digital record, and email them to a family |
| emergency or disaster is a smart idea. | | | | member or send them on a CD as a backup. |
| A few years ago, I was evacuated from my | | | | Obtain duplicates to keep in a binder or box that |
| home in the middle of the night because of a | | | | you can grab & take or send them to a |
| chemical fire that broke out in the building behind | | | | trusted out-of-town friend or family member as |
| my home. That night I truly learned the | | | | well. Put the originals in a bank vault or a fire- and |
| importance of being prepared. When an | | | | water-proof box. |
| emergency strikes, and you are scared and | | | | 5. Use an external USB drive / flash drive / DVD |
| stressed, having to decide what to take is a | | | | or other easily portable media to make a backup |
| nightmare. The last thing you want to do is spend | | | | of all your central computer files. USB drives are a |
| time thinking about what to take when you could | | | | great solution because you can access the data |
| be gathering up your stuff! Especially when you | | | | from any computer. Remember to back up daily. |
| only have 2 minutes to decide and gather. | | | | 6. Make a video inventory of each room in your |
| In my case, I took photo albums, my laptop, | | | | house. Zoom in on all the expensive and |
| critical paper files that were on my desk, my | | | | irreplaceable items. Include your outdoor furniture |
| backup CDs, and of course my cats. I also | | | | and possessions, even your car(s). Update the |
| grabbed a suitcase and took a few of my most | | | | video regularly and store a copy in a safe remote |
| frequently worn clothes. | | | | location such as a vault or a family member's |
| What would you take? | | | | home in a different state. If possible, digitize and |
| Here are 8 tips to help you organize your critical | | | | upload the video to a website as a backup. When |
| information and documents and be prepared to | | | | you acquire new large purchases, take photos and |
| evacuate quickly. | | | | add them to your inventory. |
| | | | 7. Make sure you scan or copy all irreplaceable |
| 1. First, make sure you know where your most | | | | receipts and proof of ownership for irreplaceable |
| important items are and make a Master Checklist | | | | items like art and jewelry. Double check that all |
| of the items you want to take in an emergency. | | | | your valuables are recorded and covered by your |
| 2. Make a list of all your important information | | | | home insurance policy. |
| including medical, insurance, credit cards, | | | | 8. Consider using an online web-based vault |
| investments, passwords for your online accounts, | | | | service. Whatever service you use, make sure |
| etc. Keep this list in a handy place such as a | | | | the company is legitimate and that they have |
| Master Home Reference Binder that you can | | | | taken extreme precautions to ensure the security |
| easily grab and take with you. | | | | of your data. The best part of a service like this |
| 3. If you or a family member have any special | | | | is that all your data is accessible to you and your |
| medical needs, pack up a kit of medicines and | | | | loved ones 24 / 7 from any computer, anywhere. |
| supplies you must have with you in the event of | | | | So, in the event you have to evacuate your city, |
| an emergency. Keep these supplies somewhere | | | | you don't have to worry about getting to your |
| near an exit so that you can grab them quickly. | | | | bank vault, and you'll have all your critical |
| Every 6 months update the contents. Make sure | | | | information at your fingertips. |