I love the way that smartphones bring libraries-full of information to our pockets. That includes the information we need to prepare for emergencies as well as instructions to respond to emergencies in the moment. For the iPhone, there is a wonderfully complete and easy-to-navigate app by evolvingmonkeys.com called simply Emergency Preparedness Checklist and Guide. Developed…
Category Archives: Vital records
What Makes Vital Records “Vital?”
During a recent presentation, I was asked what I would name as the five most important vital records. It’s a good question, but one that can’t be answered in general. If you are a military veteran and hope to receive a substantial income from your military pension, then documents regarding your military service may be…
Notes and Lessons from the San Bruno Blast
If the firemen knocked on your door to say you had to evacuate, what would you do first? My friend and professional organizing colleague Molly Brady, who lives in San Bruno, CA, was under an evacuation order on the night of September 9th this year, after a Pacific Gas and Electric pipeline exploded in a…
If It Were Easy, You Would Have Done It Already – are your vital records ready to grab & go?
Maybe you’ve wanted to get ready for emergencies for a long time, but you’re confused about what tools to use and what steps to take. Maybe you know you should organize some important papers to grab and go, but somehow you still haven’t taken the time to gather your vital records. Emergencies can happen to…
Safeguarding Your Social Security Card
Q: Should I carry my Social Security card with me? A: Carry your card only when going to apply for a new job or to start a new job, when you may need it to verify your Social Security number. Q: Where should I keep my Social Security card? A: Don’t carry it in your…
Replacing Your Vital Records – where to go for birth, death and marriage documents
If important birth, death, marriage, or divorce records have gone missing, don’t wait until you need them in an emergency: Replace them now. The US government website includes a state-by-state listing to help citizens replace missing documents. Here’s the information to get you started.
How to keep your vital records safe
What’s the best place to store your vital records for safekeeping? You have choices. Here’s the information to help you decide. The first decision is, fireproof or portable? Generally speaking, we can have one, but not both. The thick, strong walls that make a container fire-safe usually prevent it from being a good grab-and-go solution…