Be Prepared, Protect Your Important Documents

Emergency situations can occur unexpectedly, but having a prepared plan can help keep you calm. During natural disasters or sudden evacuations it's important to have key documents ready because this can make your recovery much easier. Important documents like driver's licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports should be stored in a safe location. These documents are crucial in emergencies. Also, maintaining ready access to medical documents, including health insurance information, immunization records and prescription medication lists can save lives. You should keep insurance policies and bank account details alongside credit card information and wills where you have quick access. It’s good practice to keep an updated inventory of valuables with photo or video documentation. This will help to simplify the process of submitting insurance claims. Home and vehicle titles and deeds, along with property tax records should also be easily accessible. With your important documents, include both a digital and written list of emergency contacts, including family members, doctors, insurance agents, and local emergency management agencies.

Keep all of these important documents safe by storing them in a waterproof and fireproof container. In addition to the paper copies, store digital copies of documents in a cloud storage system or on a USB drive that requires a password to access. Proper planning and record organization helps decrease stress levels and eliminates uncertainty during emergency scenarios. A little preparation today protects you from future unexpected challenges. A good place to start is to create an inventory of your property. This will help if you ever need to file an insurance claim. There are several apps and programs available to help you inventory your property.

Check out the UGA Extension webpage below for the Home Emergency Preparedness Handbook

Resources: UGA Extension Home Emergency Preparedness Handbook