by Dianne Dawsom, Guest Author

If there is one lesson that Katrina has taught us, it is that you need to have vital family records and important documents organized and ready to grab and go if you have to quickly leave your home.

Up until Katrina, you probably didn’t give much thought to your important papers and what you might need in an emergency. In fact, if you are like most people, you probably have several documents in your home that would take you a little time to locate.

Yet it has become clear that we must be prepared ahead of time in order to have the vital information those records contain in the event of an emergency.

Consider this: A disaster doesn’t have to be a hurricane.

Last Thursday night after our President’s speech (Sept 15), ABC aired a special about being prepared for a disaster. They covered earthquakes, widespread health hazards, terrorist attacks and even nuclear attacks.

Add to that list a fire, flooding, and of course, a hurricane, and it’s easy to see that any one of us can be affected on a moment’s notice.

Without your vital records and important papers, could you access your own money or investments? Get the full healthcare that you deserve through your own insurance? File property claims, or even PROVE that you are who you *SAY* you are when trying to access services?

These and any of a dozen other critical tasks that must be done in an emergency become almost impossible - hampered by delays, frustration and worry – unless you have immediate access to your family’s important papers.

Don’t take that chance. Use these nine steps to get your records organized:

1. Acknowledge that you have many important documents and records that you will need to access in an emergency. Don’t think that if you have your driver’s license and insurance card, you have what you will need to get started. You won’t, and you will pay for it dearly with worry, anxiety and delays in getting services.

2. Put together a personal survival kit for your records, or purchase one such as the Heirs Affairs Personal Record Keeping System at www.dawsonresources.com/Safe_Records

3. Designate one family member to gather, document and properly retain these records.

4. Include EVERY vital record, important document or piece of significant information concerning your family. This list will be extensive.

5. Keep in mind that some records are best stored in safety deposit boxes or with your attorney. In this case, document where the records are located and retain a copy of the original in your personal survival kit for your records.

6. Make a copy of this documentation you have just created (your documentation will include originals, addresses, phone numbers, contact people, account numbers, etc.; and it will also tell you where to locate the originals for those records that are best housed in specific locations outside of your home).

7. Keep one copy of this documentation in a water-proof container that you can grab as you leave the house. Better yet, keep it in an emergency suitcase or tote that you keep pre-packed with essentials.

8. Mail a second copy to a trusted friend or relative who lives in a different area from you, preferably someone who is not close enough to be experiencing the same weather or other hazardous conditions at the same time that you may face them.

9. Give a third copy to your attorney or advisor. Additional copies can be given to selected family members at your discretion.

Organizing these vital records will give you immeasurable peace-of-mind in the event of any type of emergency, including the sudden illness or incapacitation of the person who usually handles these things for your family. Don’t keep putting it off! Get your records in order today and put your mind at ease. In an emergency of any nature, you can be prepared.

About the Author
Dianne E. Dawson, M.A., Marketing and Business Development Strategist, recommends the Heirs Affairs Personal Record Keeping System to make the daunting task of documenting and protecting all of your vital records and important documents simple and easy. To learn more, you are invited to visit www.dawsonresources.com/Safe_Records

Take Action – Nothing Changes Without Action

Set aside time this month to get your family records in order. Yes, this can be a challenge….because you don’t know where they all are. Pace yourself and gather them one by one.

Relax. You don’t have to worry about doing this perfectly. Just get started.

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Cheryl Miller is a wellness expert and life coach. She specializes in helping people take action to live a healthy, happy life . . . in this lifetime.

Visit www.cherylmillerville.com for practical advice, inspiration and action steps for making healthy changes you desire. Be sure to get the FREE Wellness Pack:  http://cherylmillerville.com/wellness-pack

© 2005 Cheryl Miller, www.cherylmillerville.com. All rights reserved.

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