June 1 marked the beginning of hurricane season. Preparation is the key to survival and cleanup following hurricanes or any natural disasters.
Knowing where your family’s records and valuable documents are and being able to pick them up and take them with you, if you must evacuate, can save valuable time. For your "on the go" papers, you will want to purchase a packet, folder, briefcase or other carrying case for you documents. Place documents in this case in a secure but easily accessible location in your home. If you need to evacuate, important documents that you need to take with you are in one place.
If you have access to a scanner, you may want to scan your papers, documents and photographs to a computer disk or thumb drive. Keep the copy in the carrying case and leave the originals in a safe deposit box. It is also recommended that you videotape or take pictures of the contents of your home to supplement your household inventory. If you use computer software to keep track of your financial information, keep a backup copy with your important papers. The IRS also has a disaster loss workbook (Publication 584) that can help you compile a room-by-room list of your belongings.
Papers that you want to have in your wallet or purse include: personal identification information including you name, address and telephone number and the name, address and telephone number of a relative or close friend; medical information including blood type, health conditions and medications you are taking; and your doctor’s name, address and telephone number.
Information that you want to take with you includes: bank account numbers; list of savings and investments including CDs, stocks, bonds and mutual funds; credit card record, including credit card numbers and company contact information; household and personal property information – videotape, pictures or disk; list of insurance policies with name of company, type of policy and policy number; copy of will and trust documents; house, car and other property titles; copies of birth, marriage, divorce, death and adoption certificates; passports; list and phone numbers of family advisors including insurance agent, accountant, doctors, banker, employer, financial adviser, clergy; educational records; military records; and other special papers that would be difficult or impossible to replace if lost.
For more information about organizing family records and developing a household inventory, read the University of Florida/IFAS publication, "Keeping a Household Inventory and Protecting Valuable Records" at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/dh138. For more information on disaster preparedness, visit flagleremergency.com.
Love gardening?
The Flagler County Master Gardeners are looking for new members. Training will start Thursday, Aug. 16, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and run for 12 weeks. For information, contact Sol Looker, Horticulture Extension Agent, at 386-437-7464 or email lookers@ufl.edu.
Sharon Treen is director of the Flagler County Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida. For information, contact the office, 386-437-7464. The extension service is at 150 Sawgrass Road, off County Road 13.