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Emergency documents

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An essential step in emergency preparedness is gathering all important documents into one place. When an urgent situation happens, you can quckly grab your documents, and not be scrambling, When you seek assistance following an emergency, you will be organized, and have the information you need. Following is a list of documents you may want to including in your packet of emergency paperwork. Many can be the originals, while others can be color copies. If you have a scanner and color printer, you can scan the documents ahead of time and then print in color - or black & white. Keep the main set of documents (originals, plus copies of some) in tightly sealed freezer bag, in a fireproof box - where you can easily access it. Consider keeping a few extra copies of most items - in a safety deposit box, with a trusted relative nearby, with a trusted relative out-of-state. Keep a summary of key emergency information in your wallet, on your PDA, with your spouse.

  • Authorization to treat minors
  • Bank account numbers and phone numbers
  • Birth certificates
  • Bonds
  • CD or jump drive of photos, documents, data
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Contracts
  • Copy of your will
  • Credit card account numbers and phone numbers
  • Death certificates
  • Diplomas, certificates, awards
  • Divorce certificates
  • Driver’s license and other ID copies
  • Emergency contact list
  • Emergency medical information
  • Family records
  • Financial inventory – list, phone numbers
  • Fingerprints & photos of children
  • Genealogy records
  • Home inventory list, photos
  • Homeowners or renters insurance – phone number, policy number
  • Immunization records
  • Important business documents
  • Insurance policy numbers, phone number
  • Job application information – detailed history of all places of employment, addresses, phone numbers, dates of employment, supervisor, job title, job duties
  • Legal documents
  • Life insurance – policy details, phone number, policy number
  • Living wills
  • Loan information
  • Marriage certificates
  • Medical device information, serial numbers, style numbers
  • Medical documents
  • Medical history
  • Medical insurance ID card, phone number, policy number
  • Medical letters
  • Medical powers of attorney
  • Medical provider phone numbers
  • Military discharge papers
  • Passport copies
  • Pension plan – information
  • Phone and addresses (updated) of family, friends, neighbors, Church,  school, co-workers
  • Photos or video of all valuables for documentation of insurance claim
  • Prescriptions (for medication, eye glasses, medical equipment)
  • Proof of ownership or lease of your residence
  • Resume
  • Securities, deeds
  • Social security numbers of family members, copies of ID cards
  • Stock certificates
  • Titles to property – home, auto, land
  • Transcripts, diplomas, report cards
  • Trust documents
  • Vehicle, boats info – license numbers, make, identification, VIN #
  • Will/living trust and letter of instructions