Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Tanuki

(14,893 posts)
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 07:47 AM Sep 2017

Disaster prep---securing important personal papers and property

It's too late for this to be helpful for the people dealing with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but all of the bad weather news serves as a reminder to all of us that there are steps we can take to prepare ahead of time for an emergency. There are some good tips here, and others are welcome to link to articles they've found on this topic:


http://www.aarp.org/money/investing/info-08-2012/protect-important-documents-and-valuables.html?intcmp=AE-ALRT-PROTECT-9617
....."Keep one set of original or photocopied records in a portable file system or lock box that will allow grab-and-go convenience if you evacuate. Make a backup set of electronic copies and save them on CDs, DVDs or external drives that should be stored in another safe location, such as a bank safe deposit box or the distant home of a trusted friend or relative. If you have a remote back-up service, you can keep the copies there as well. Going forward, be sure to keep records updated.

The documents should include:
Personal: Birth and marriage certificates, divorce decrees, passports, diploma and military documents, Social Security card, and photocopies of your driver's license and the front and back of all credit cards. Also include phone numbers of friends and relatives, because numbers stored on your cellphone may be inaccessible if its battery dies and you can't recharge.
Home and property: Home deed, mortgage and closing statements; car titles; insurance policies or at the minimum, policy number and contact information for your agent and insurer; appraisal documents for jewelry and other valuables.
Estate: Your will, executor and estate planning paperwork, including names and phone numbers.
Medical: Medicare or health insurance cards, prescription records (especially for medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma), and contact information for your doctors.
Financial: Stock and bond certificates; IRA or 401(k) account numbers; bank statements; and tax records, including W2s and important receipts."....(more at link)

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Disaster prep---securing important personal papers and property (Original Post) Tanuki Sep 2017 OP
Last minute prep for important docs and photos Sedona Sep 2017 #1
What an excellent idea! Rhiannon12866 Sep 2017 #2
Great idea but what if the wall goes flying? malaise Sep 2017 #3
How are you this morning? Dustlawyer Sep 2017 #5
Fine thank you malaise Sep 2017 #6
Snopes says no Maeve Sep 2017 #4
A recent idea... Roy Rolling Sep 2017 #10
Kick. tanyev Sep 2017 #7
Use space bags, the one's that use vacuums to suck out the air. They really work. Hestia Sep 2017 #8
My neighbor's house burned down - and he died of smoke inhalation. QED Sep 2017 #9

Sedona

(3,769 posts)
1. Last minute prep for important docs and photos
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 08:04 AM
Sep 2017

....disconnect water supply from dishwasher then put them in there. It has a watertight seal and its bolted into caninets/wall.

malaise

(267,811 posts)
6. Fine thank you
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 08:28 AM
Sep 2017

We didn't go for our walk because the path is under water from yesterday's rain, but in the scheme of hurricane reality, we're the lucky ones.
And how are you Dustlawyer? Any sign of normalcy yet?

Roy Rolling

(6,853 posts)
10. A recent idea...
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 10:43 AM
Sep 2017

They are not designed to be underwater for a week. I lived through Katrina. A floating, sealed, and waterproof plastic container worked. But if your home is washed away...good luck finding it with your dishwasher. LOL

Our bank safety deposit boxes were under water for a week.

Best advice: put them in a waterproof container, then take that container with you and evacuate.

QED

(2,730 posts)
9. My neighbor's house burned down - and he died of smoke inhalation.
Sat Sep 9, 2017, 10:28 AM
Sep 2017

He left no will and family members disagreed about assets, such as they were.

I decided I needed a will - not that I have valuables but I do have a house and a ton of crap I've accumulated over the years. And my pets - I wanted to be sure they went to a rescue group and not the pound if anything did happen to me. I'm more concerned about them than the damn TV or house.

So, I had a will written. The lawyer told me to put the original in a fireproof safe and leave the safe unlocked. I added my pets' shot records and a flash drive with my password protected Excel password file along with insurance docs and a few others.

I didn't think about tax records and mortgage docs. I think I'll scan them and add these to the flash drive.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Disaster prep---securing ...