Be Prepared For When Tragedy May Strike...

Last week I mentioned how my computer had crashed and how sad I was because I had lost everything on it due to the virus software failing and my data was corrupt.

I should feel lucky that's all I lost….

I woke up Wednesday morning to discover that a good friend’s mom’s home had burned down. Thankfully, her mom, who is 87 years young, was visiting family when this tragic event occurred. However, her 100+ year old home was a complete loss.   

This old farmhouse at the end of the road named after the family, had stood for generations and held many fond memories. It was where my friend’s father was born and where he passed away last year at the age of 93; where he and his wife had raised their seven children; where all the family holidays were spent; where friends and family were always welcome; where he had still worked, until his death, tirelessly on repairing the roof, replacing the siding and all the regular upkeep that an old house required. Needless to say this house had stories to tell. 

At the point of writing, the news is still fresh and the sadness deep. You never think it will happen to you. It made me think about what would be lost if my house should it suffer a similar fate.

We don't have control over fires or natural disasters, but we can be proactive and properly store those items that are irreplaceable.

1. Fireproof/waterproof safe: this is probably the most important place you can store those items that would help for personal identification and the legal process such as birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, bank account information etc. You may want to consider a safe that has a combination code instead of a key that could be lost in such a disaster.
    
2. Public storage rental: if you have items that need a larger storage area but that you don’t need regular access to, consider a public storage rental. Consider your options and seek ones that are climate controlled as well as disaster proof.
    
3. Digital back-up: I touched base on this subject a little last week. Consider scanning important documents and backing up your personal data to a thumb drive or disk and store it in your fireproof/waterproof safe. I just discovered and hand-held scanner called The Flip Pal which has received really good reviews. I plan on purchasing one soon! I just added it to my website:www.organizedphotos.com/innovative-products.html

I can do my best to protect the items I can protect, the "stuff" is just stuff and can be replaced and most importantly of all, I would always have the fond memories of everything that happened in my home. Memories of a home filled with kids; big crazy birthday parties, playing ping pong, having bonfires, roasting marshmallows, building ski and snowboard parks in my front yard so my grass is constantly destroyed and of course...extremely high grocery bills. 

I hope this message inspires you to think about the blessings and memories that have taken place in your home and inspires you to take action at protecting the items you can protect. And, as always, I will refer you Get Organized Now, as Maria is the Queen of organizing and can surely provide more insight as to organizing your paperwork.