Protect Important Documents 

So much of what will need to get done after a disaster requires documentation. You will spend hours, days and weeks trying to get copies of documents. The people of Puerto Rico learned this lesson when attempting to get help from FEMA. FEMA requires proof of citizenship and home ownership to provide some types of financial aid. Having a leaking roof or a blue tarp roof for 6-12 months can make your life very difficult. Take the simple steps outlined below to protect documents and minimize the stress following a disaster. Read more suggestions. If you can scan them and put them in the cloud it is a good way to protect a copy.

• Passport
• Insurance policies
• Drivers license
• Prescriptions
• Visa, Work Permit, Green Card
• Banking information
• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Titles
• Tax returns
• Credit card

Physical Protection of Documents

• Put them in the cloud
• Put in plastic sealing bags
• Put bags in a safe which is fire and waterproof
• Put them in your GO Bag if you don’t have a safe or want to bring them with you.
• Put them in  a safety deposit box
• Give them to a relative in another area – mailing may be lost
• Shred what is not needed

Moving documents to the cloud

The safest place you can put your documents is in the “cloud”. The cloud is nothing more than storing files at a vendors storage facility instead of on your home PC. Microsoft offers OneDrive, Google offers Google Drive and DropBox and Mozy offer similar options. ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE KEPT IN YOUR CLOUD STORAGE. This is true for all docs, all the time. Your PC can crash, get a virus or lost in a fire and if your documents are not in the cloud you are out of luck.

The easiest thing to do is install the cloud on your local computer and put all your documents in it. Stop using My Documents or learn how to copy your MyDocuments folder into our OneDrive so it just happens for you. Once in your cloud drive files will sync between your computer, the cloud and mobile device. You can access your files from any computer with an internet connection.

If your business needs help with migrating to the cloud contact IGTech365.

Family photos

There is no reason to lose a photo in today’s day and age. Move your photos in with your other files and you know they will always be safe.

Source: Pasco County, FL Disaster Planning Guide. www.tampabayprepares.org
Download planning guide here.