Thank you so much for posting this advice. You've made it very easy to set up an emergency binder. I went ahead and labeled each sheet protector instead of using dividers.
Adding to my previous post, in addition to the list of items listed above, I would also include bill statements. That way, you would have the account numbers and phone numbers for utilities, phone service, etc.
Admin
· 11 months ago
Good call Allie. I have those account numbers on my internet banking passwords sheet so I don't have actual statements in my binder. I actually put a LOT of things on the internet banking passwords sheet. I went ahead and included the utility statements in this list though.
Lindsey
· 11 months ago
We also have a document in all the family member's kits with family contacts since most live far away and we'd need to let them know how we're doing- addresses, phone numbers and also a recent family photo in case of a missing person report and can't get access to a computer/internet.
lisa
· 11 months ago
Great idea! I'll have to make a binder for my family. I also thought it would be handy to have a "how to binder" in case of disasters. So I have put together a binder full of information on what to do if disaster happens. Things on: Pandemic, fire, snow storms,tornadoes, even spiritual preparedness and more because you can never think strait when it's happening to you.
Mariah
· 5 months ago
never thought we might actually be looking at that info in our binders, but here we are in the beginning of a pandemic right now, so even if we think "oh it wont happen any time soon..." it could because it did. so we need make sure we all have it ready to look at at any time!!
Amanda
· 11 months ago
Good idea!!! I also like the idea posted by Lisa about a "How To" binder. Looks like I need to get to work!
Admin
· 11 months ago
I bet that kind of binder, with how to's exist, we'll have to look into it and share it...
heatheranne
· 11 months ago
there is a wonderful binder system established at flylady.net - she calls it her "control journal". In addition to a wonderful template to get you started, she sells a great binder that zips to keep documents secure and also has a handle so you can literally grab and go!
Gwen
· 11 months ago
Another thing to consider, not necessarily IN an emergency binder, but certainly with emergency supplies, is a prioritized list of household items to grab in case of disaster. Obviously your emergency kits are your number one priority, but if there's time, other things such as family photos, journals, family history stuff, camera, etc. can be taken too. By having a list made ahead of time, if something happens, you can simply go down the list, gathering the things you can (in order of most important) instead of running around in a panic and forgetting something important to you.
Sydney
· 11 months ago
I am so glad that I found your website! It is going to be so helpful! Food storage scares me...i had no idea where to start, what to get, etc.! I have also been looking for a fireproof/waterproof box that didn't cost tons of money. Thanks for posting the link to the one you did!
Kylene
· 11 months ago
My husband and I were brainstorming last night for anything else that might also need to be included. We came up with marriage documents, health insurance policy, list of (or copy of) prescriptions currently taking, and also any warranties on big household items that we buy.
Anita M. Estes
· 11 months ago
A question about the binder. Isn't this making it very convenient for a thief? Everything a thief needs to steal identities is going to be in one container should someone decide they want to ruin your life. Birth certificates, passports, credit card numbers, checking account numbers, internet passwords, etc. Wouldn't these things be better kept in a bank safe deposit box instead?
Lacy
· 11 months ago
All of this information is a tiny bit of an overload for me but I am so excited. I have tried unsuccessfully for years to ge prepared but I couldn't wrap my brain around the organizational part by myself. Thank so much for all of your help. It's like preparedness for dumbies and I love it!
Brian
· 11 months ago
I'd add titles/deeds to that list.
Personally I'd be wary of keeping all of those items in anything with a carry handle on it that can be smacked open by any thug with a hammer...
For me. a burglar rated fire safe that is bolted to a concrete floor is the right place for originals. Encrypted waterproof USB flash drive for portable copies.
Angie
· 11 months ago
Another thing to consider is putting ID info. for each family member in it. A current picture, lock of hair, fingerprint, name, weight, height, hair color, eye color, any other descriptions in case of separation, etc. Just a thought. I have a lot to get done!! Thanks!
Admin
· 11 months ago
We totally AGREE! SECURITY is a MAJOR issue for us all to be cautious of, but for a lot of young families starting out to invest in burglar rated fire safe that is bolted to a concrete floor, or encrypted waterproof USB flash drive for portable copies - can be enough of a hang up that they don't do ANYTHING at all.
So if this stuff is just going to sit in your filing cabinet anyways, maybe have it sit organized so it can be grabbed quickly in case of an emergency.
The main focus of our entire blog is to get started somewhere, obviously the very start of anything wont be the IDEAL, but you can't get to the ideal if you don't start small.
We'll be focusing on more advanced concepts in the beyond the babysteps portion blog as we get to it, but for now everyone, do something, anything small, just get started :)
Jen Smith
· 10 months ago
On top of that list I also have: A copy of my church membership records A ward list An emergency sheet on each family member. It has a physical description, photo & any other info that would help locate them in case of emergency.
I keep mine with my 72 hour kit so it is remembered.
Julie
· 10 months ago
I have to add adoption certificates to that - especially if your child is a different race than you! In an emergency situation, it may not be clear to others who is your child legally.
Marie
· 9 months ago
I would also add an itemized photo card, most digital cameras have them these days. Take photos of everyone in your family, including pets. Then label all of the photos with the person's name and any other identifying information (say SSN, school or workplace contact data, RFID for pets, etc.). You can also take picture of valuables that cannot travel with you in the event of an emergency, while many have done so already for insurance purposes, to speed the process in the event of a disaster.
Sarah
· 8 months ago
Some additional things in my binder: my certificate of citizenship (which is theoretically irreplaceable) I also planned to put in some how-to stuff on dealing with emergencies; how to purify water with bleach, things like that...i'm still working on it
Thanks for all your work!
Todd
· 7 months ago
Frankly, just getting people to locate and collect all these items will be a huge benefit to them, even if they don't make a binder or fire safe. So thanks for that encouragement.
I would be very careful, though, about putting all this information in a binder and sticking it where somebody would easily access it. There are too many ways people (even with our permission) get into our homes. Best that this is hidden somewhere nobody would immediately look.
An alternative is to scan all these items and back them up to Mozy, which you could access from any computer anywhere in the world after the fire/tornado/hurricane/etc. Then all you'd need to actually carry would be passports, immunization records, and other items not of interest to identity thieves.
Catherine
· 6 months ago
You could always "hide" your documents in a photo album or a scrapbook.
Traci
· 6 months ago
I would add health records for your pets. You may need to prove that fido has updated shots for shelters, etc.
Sarah
· 1 month ago
We only have one family car. Our binder and our "go kit" are both in the trunk. In an emergency, that is the only vehicle that is transporting our family. We have a copy binder in our fire-lock box.
Blane888
· 1 week ago
I agree with Anita; especially if you are keeping all of these documents in your car. All it takes is one car break-in and there goes your identity along with that of your spouse and your kids. Your toast. That is one disaster you won't recover from.
I would keep sensitive information like this in a secure location in the house. If you have to take it with you some time ..... that works. If you have to return to the house to retrieve it ..... that works too.
Jodi - Food Storage Made Easy
· 17 hours ago
Yes we recommend placing it in a fireproof, waterproof, portable safe.
All Comments
Thanks again!
Allie
Learningtobefrugal.com
I also thought it would be handy to have a "how to binder" in case of disasters. So I have put together a binder full of information on what to do if disaster happens. Things on:
Pandemic, fire, snow storms,tornadoes, even spiritual preparedness and more because you can never think strait when it's happening to you.
Personally I'd be wary of keeping all of those items in anything with a carry handle on it that can be smacked open by any thug with a hammer...
For me. a burglar rated fire safe that is bolted to a concrete floor is the right place for originals. Encrypted waterproof USB flash drive for portable copies.
So if this stuff is just going to sit in your filing cabinet anyways, maybe have it sit organized so it can be grabbed quickly in case of an emergency.
The main focus of our entire blog is to get started somewhere, obviously the very start of anything wont be the IDEAL, but you can't get to the ideal if you don't start small.
We'll be focusing on more advanced concepts in the beyond the babysteps portion blog as we get to it, but for now everyone, do something, anything small, just get started :)
A copy of my church membership records
A ward list
An emergency sheet on each family member. It has a physical description, photo & any other info that would help locate them in case of emergency.
I keep mine with my 72 hour kit so it is remembered.
my certificate of citizenship (which is theoretically irreplaceable)
I also planned to put in some how-to stuff on dealing with emergencies; how to purify water with bleach, things like that...i'm still working on it
Thanks for all your work!
I would be very careful, though, about putting all this information in a binder and sticking it where somebody would easily access it. There are too many ways people (even with our permission) get into our homes. Best that this is hidden somewhere nobody would immediately look.
An alternative is to scan all these items and back them up to Mozy, which you could access from any computer anywhere in the world after the fire/tornado/hurricane/etc. Then all you'd need to actually carry would be passports, immunization records, and other items not of interest to identity thieves.
I would keep sensitive information like this in a secure location in the house. If you have to take it with you some time ..... that works. If you have to return to the house to retrieve it ..... that works too.