Are you prepared to evacuate quickly with important documents if disaster strikes? Natural disasters can strike suddenly. Taking time now to assemble important papers in a box that is safe and ready to go at a moment’s notice can save a lot of time and frustration in the event of a fire, storm, or flood. Prepare now by creating a portable file that you can grab and go.
Steps to Create Your Evacuation
“To Go” Box
Step 1
• Place items in paper folders or envelopes.
• Store these inside sealed, airtight and waterproof plastic bags.
• Place in durable, sealed box, preferably a locking one. A portable, fireproof and waterproof box/bag is recommended.
Step 2
Store box/bag at home in secure location that is easily accessible.
Step 3
If you must evacuate, grab box and take it with you.
• Keep box with you at all times.
• Do not leave box unattended in your vehicle.
Here’s What Your “To Go” Box Should Include:
• Cash or traveler’s checks for several days living expenses.
• Rolls of quarters.
• Emergency phone numbers. (Include local/toll-free.)
•Doctors, pharmacies
• Financial institutions
•Insurance companies (Include local agent and company headquarters.)
•Credit card companies
•Clergy
•Repair contractors
•Family/friends
• Workplace
•Schools
• Copies of:
Homeowners, auto, flood or renter’s insurance policies AND policy numbers
Prescriptions for medications and eyeglasses
Health, dental and prescription insurance cards or numbers
Children’s immunization records
Deeds
Titles
Wills and trust documents
Durable power of attorney
Healthcare directives (living will)
Stock and bond certificates
Recent investment statements
Home inventory (Printed and digital version if available.)
Birth, death, adoption, marriage certificates
Passports
Employee benefit documents
First two pages of previous year’s federal and state income tax returns
Military service records
• Back-up of computerized financial records
• Keys to safe deposit box
• Combination to safe
• Labeled photos of family members and pets
• Negatives or disks of irreplaceable photos
• User names, passwords
• List of debt obligations, due dates, and contact information
• Photocopies, front and back, of all credit cards
• List of numbers:
Social Security
Bank account
Loan
Credit card
Driver’s license
Investment account
Other account numbers – for utilities, etc.
A safe deposit box is recommended to store your original papers and other valuables. These boxes are located at your financial institutions. Note that most original documents should be stored in your safe deposit box.
Secure in Your Safe Deposit Box
• Deeds
• Titles
• Mortgages
• Birth, marriage, death certificates
• Adoption papers
• Child custody papers
• Copies of passports
• Military/veteran records
• Appraisals
• Leases and other contracts
• Stocks, bonds and certificates of deposit
• Trust documents
• Copies of power of attorney, will/trust
• Insurance policies
• Home improvement records and receipts
• Household inventory (list, photos, and/or digital)
• Jewelry, precious medals, other collectibles
Digital Files
The most portable files for your “To Go” Box are digital files. Take the documents you have collected and scan them. Save these images to a CD. Also scan the contents of your safe deposit box and save to the same CD. Send a copy of this CD to a trusted friend or relative who lives at least 300 miles away. However, remember that in an emergency, you may not be able to access the electronic information and you will want to have a hard copy as well. You may also want to provide your attorney with a copy of the CD in a sealed envelope to be opened with your permission if you become incapacitated.
Our lives are constantly changing when there are births, deaths, moves, marriages, divorces, etc. occurring. You may buy a new house, acquire real property or sell some. The best Evacuation “To Go” Box will not last forever. As things change, update the “To Go” Box and your safe deposit box by adding to or deleting your documentation. Review at least annually. Planning and preparation can help the unexpected from becoming a harsh financial reality.
References:
American Red Cross, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants & National Endowment for Financial Education. (2003). Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues.
FDIC Consumer News. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (Spring 1997). The Key to Your Safe Deposit Box. http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnspr97/sfdpstbx.html
University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service. (1998). Disaster Supplies Kit.
Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. (2002). Emergencies: Are You Prepared? Your Personal Checklist of Important Documents.
Adapted by:
SuzAnne Jorgensen, MS, CFCS
Family and Consumer Science Educator
Utah State University Garfield County Extension
From:
Susan E. Cosgrove
Area Family Resource Management Agent
Mississippi State University Extension Service
Add comment