There are an average of over 370,000 residential fires every year according to the latest data from the U.S. Fire Administration. It’s easy to feel invincible and think that this couldn’t happen to you, but burying your head in the sand will not help you protect your family. Aside from fire safety and educating your kids about what to do in the event of a fire, protecting your valuables, irreplaceable items and important paperwork is essential to being prepared.
Protect Photos and Digital Documents
Start an account with a cloud-based online storage website to preserve your most-important digital documents. Upon initial setup, activate the necessary settings on all of your family computers to automatically back up the desired files as soon as any new ones are uploaded. By automating the process, you never have to worry about whether you backed up copies of the latest photos that you uploaded from your camera. By using the cloud, you also can access your documents from any device.
Keep a digital file folder with records of any big ticket items in your home such as artwork, computers, photography equipment, precious metals, jewelry, media equipment and anything else that you would claim as a reimbursable expense on your homeowner’s insurance policy. Digitize all receipts for these items, and include a photograph of each as proof of ownership in order to have the best chance of getting the most back for your most valuable material possessions.
Preserve Your Little Picasso’s Masterpieces
Kids artwork can overrun your house if you let it, but it also can be nearly impossible to part with. While this quandary is something every parent must work out for themselves, sentimentality reaches new heights if all of those finger paintings, drawings and collages are lost in a fire. Save the mini masterpieces for posterity and maintain organization of everything by digitally preserving them. Photograph or scan your favorites and keep them in a file with your family photos. At the end of each year, compile them all into a photo book, so you can all enjoy them whenever you want.
Keep Important Documents Safe
For things that you need easy access to like birth certificates, your marriage certificate, will, social security cards, deeds, titles, insurance policies and passports, invest in a fire-proof box or personal safe instead of storing them in a safe deposit box at the bank. While a bank has plenty of fire protection, the lack of accessibility is too much of a hassle for these important documents.
When shopping for a fire-proof box or safe, make sure it carries at least a 350 rating from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the gold-standard in fire safety ratings. A UL 350 rating means that the temperature inside the box won’t exceed 400 degrees, which is the lowest temperature at which paper begins to burn. Also, always store important paperwork in zipped plastic storage bags to protect them from water damage in case moisture penetrates the box as the fire is being extinguished.
Joe is a former financial advisor and media representative for American Express and Ameriprise. He was the “Money Man” at Detroit television WXYZ-TV, appearing twice weekly. He’s also appeared in Bride, Best Life, and Child magazines, the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun-Times, Detroit News and Baltimore Sun newspapers and numerous other media outlets. Joe holds B.A Degrees from The Citadel and Michigan State University.
Last 15 years ago, there was a huge fire in our place and our house was included. We lost everything except for the important documents, I’m glad that my mom picked up my father’s attache case immediately.