The Papers You Would Grab in Ten Minutes

If you had to leave home in a hurry, could you quickly find the documents that prove who you are, what you own, and what insurance coverage you have?

Putting together a grab-and-go file is one of the simplest emergency preparedness steps a household can take.

According to Ready.gov, that file should include important identification and financial records, along with information you may need if you cannot return home right away.

That can include birth certificates, insurance policies, property deeds or lease agreements, bank and account information, a current list of medications and medical contacts, and copies of a few irreplaceable photographs.

The goal is not to carry every important paper you own.

It is to have the essentials organized so you are not searching through drawers during an evacuation.

Keep original documents in a waterproof and fire-resistant container when possible.

A second set of copies can be kept in a zippered envelope or other portable folder that can be grabbed quickly on the way out.

Digital copies can provide another layer of protection when stored securely.

For older adults, there is one more financial step worth considering.

Switching Social Security and other recurring benefits to direct deposit can reduce the risk that disrupted mail service delays access to money after a disaster.

A grab-and-go file takes little space, but it can save hours of frustration later.

In an emergency, knowing exactly where your most important papers are may be almost as valuable as having the papers themselves.