When and where a disaster might strike is impossible to predict. You might have only a few minutes or a couple hours’ notice to gather your family, take what you can and make your way to a safe location. By creating a Grab-and-Go Kit, you’ll have all of your important documents and files ready to go whenever you need to leave home in a hurry.
A Grab-and-Go Kit is made up of your most important and irreplaceable papers, photos, mementos and a backup of your computer. It’s best to keep these items in plastic, Ziploc bags. We recommend you use the two-gallon bags as they will easily protect and secure most of your folders, files and papers. Put the bags in a waterproof and fireproof lockbox. If you don’t have one, we recommend you pick one up, or consider double-bagging these valuables.
Imagine how hard life would be after a disaster without insurance papers, birth certificates and your computer files. To protect your family from that nightmare, your Grab-and-Go Kit should include:
Apartment and condo leases- Home or other property deeds (mortgages, etc.)
- Estate documents
- Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance documents
- Wills
- Life insurance policies
- Inventory of possessions and their value
- List of important phone numbers (family, friends, etc.)
- Flood insurance documents
- Vehicle titles, leases, loan documents, etc.
- Financial statements (accounts, checks, tax returns, etc.)
- Stocks and bonds
- Copies of recent bills (power, water, etc.)
- Government financial assistance award letters
- Birth certificates or proof of citizenship
- Social Security cards
- Employment contracts or other legal documents
- Medical records, x-rays, benefits documents, etc.
- Education reports (report cards, acceptance letters)
- Passports
- Duplicate prescriptions from doctor
- Backup computer files (on a CD, DVD, etc.)
- Paperwork for your pets (medical records, registration, etc.)
- Copies of important keys