Emergency Kit for Paperwork
Keep an emergency kit with copies of the following documents. I suggest that you store the originals in a safe-deposit box at your bank, or as a safety precaution, in a secure location at home. However, your emergency kit should be accessible in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation such as a fire, etc. You may also want to make a backup of all copies on a CD or USB stick and include them in your kit as well. Keep your paperwork in a waterproof plastic freezer bag preferably in a fireproof box. (Note: Some sources recommend you should keep the original documents with your kit.)
Keep an emergency kit with copies of the following documents. I suggest that you store the originals in a safe-deposit box at your bank, or as a safety precaution, in a secure location at home. However, your emergency kit should be accessible in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation such as a fire, etc. You may also want to make a backup of all copies on a CD or USB stick and include them in your kit as well. Keep your paperwork in a waterproof plastic freezer bag preferably in a fireproof box. (Note: Some sources recommend you should keep the original documents with your kit.)
Do your best to gather what you can to begin with. Something is better than nothing! Make it a goal to add a missing document to your kit on a weekly basis until your list is complete!
Birth/death certificates
Adoption papers
Social Security cards
Passports
Emergency contact information including names, addresses and phone numbers of
- family
- friends
- financial advisor
- your children's school
- local police, fire department, and medical facility
- doctors and veterinarians
- your attorney
- your insurance agent(s)
- coworkers
- your utility companies, cable companies, credit card companies, bank, etc.
- local and/or national aid agencies such as the Red Cross
Wills/living trusts
Copies of your driver's license, green card, and other identification cards
List of bank account and credit card account numbers
Inventory of household goods
Medical
- records
- directives
- list of immunizations
- allergic reactions
- blood types
- medical conditions
- prescriptions (medical, insulin, asthma inhalers, eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids, etc.) and the style and serial numbers for medical devices such as pacemakers
Power of attorney papers, court orders pertaining to your family and burial arrangements
Insurance cards and the front of all insurance policies including but not limited to health, home, disability, life and car (Note: some insurance companies require that you present the original life insurance policy document to make a claim – leave a copy in your safe-deposit box or home safe.)
Online account information i.e. URLs, User IDs and Passwords
Spare keys for your house and car
Cash: take ATM cards, credit cards and blank checks and use these methods of payment first if at all possible. You may need your actual cash as a last resort. $500.00 might be the minimal sum to consider
Personal Items: items that are easy to carry and you feel are irreplaceable, such as an old photo or piece of jewelry
I know this list may seem daunting but it's essential for ourselves and our loved ones that we're prepared for an emergency. Feel free to chime in if I've forgotten something!
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