Much attention has been given to personal survival kits stocked with food, water, medical supplies and a change of clothing. But what about your family's vital records and important documents? No matter what the nature of the emergency or disaster, you need an organized system so that you can have ALL of your records and the information they contain at your fingertips in an emergency.
(PRWEB) September 16, 2005 --In any emergency or disaster, access to vital family records and important documents becomes critical in your ability to get the help that you need quickly and without delay.
"If I could say one thing to everyone across the country in this aftermath of Hurricane Katrina," says Jane LaBan, creator of the Heirs Affairs Personal Record Keeping System, "it would be to start right now to gather together your important family papers and put them into a weather-proof container that can easily be grabbed if you must quickly leave your home."
Hurricane Katrina has taught us all an important lesson about emergency or disaster preparedness. You have heard those displaced by the storm frantic because they do not have family records such as birth certificates or driver's licenses, or important documents such as copies of insurance policies or deeds available to them.
The disaster or emergency that strikes your family may not be a hurricane. It could be public health hazards, terrorists, an earthquake, a fire or flooding, or even the unexpected illness or death of a loved one.
Much attention has been given to personal survival kits stocked with food, water, medical supplies and a change of clothing.
But what about your family's important records?
No matter what the nature of the emergency or disaster, you need to know where your records are located, you need to know that they are safe, and most important, you need to be able to get to ALL of them and the information they contain quickly and easily - without forgetting anything.
Here are a few tips for creating your own personal survival kit for your records that can bring peace-of-mind when followed:
1. Acknowledge that you have many important documents and records that you will need to access in an emergency. Don't think that if you have your driver's license and insurance card, you have what you will need to get started. You won't, and you will pay for it dearly with worry, anxiety and delays in getting services.
2. Purchase or put together a personal survival kit for your records.
3. Designate one family member to gather, document and properly retain these records.
4. Include EVERY vital record, important document or piece of significant information concerning your family. This list will be extensive.
5. Keep in mind that some records are best stored in safety deposit boxes or with your attorney. In this case, document where the records are located and retain a copy of the original in your personal survival kit for your records.
6. Make a copy of this documentation you have just created (your documentation will include originals, addresses, phone numbers, contact people, etc., and it will also tell you where to locate the originals for those records that are best housed in specific locations outside of your home)
7. Keep one copy of this documentation in a water-proof container that you can grab as you leave the house. Better yet, keep it in an emergency suitcase or tote that you keep pre-packed with essentials.
8. Mail a second copy to a trusted friend or relative who lives in a different area from you, preferably someone who is not close enough to be experiencing the same weather or other hazardous conditions at the same time that you may face them;
9. Give a third copy to your attorney or advisor.
10. Additional copies can be given to selected family members at your discretion.
These vital records will give you immeasurable peace-of-mind in the event of any type of emergency, including the sudden illness or incapacitation of the person who usually handles these things for your family.
If you are concerned about handling all the details of this daunting task, you can protect your family with the Heirs Affairs Personal Record Keeping System by visiting www.dawsonresources.com/Safe_Records to order.
Every conceivable personal record and important document that your family could have is covered in this comprehensive manual/workbook.
It will walk you through documenting important information as well as recording the location of vital documents kept in safety deposit boxes or other locations. Once completed, as the need arises, just grab it and go and you will have everything that you need right at your fingertips.
###
|
