What’s the best way to protect your vital documents (and cash) in case of a disaster? Keep copies in a fireproof safe; after all, you will likely need these documents to help you in the aftermath of said disaster. For example, you’ll need copies of your financial documents to contact your insurance providers and get help from government disaster relief programs. Luckily, there are tons of options out there when it comes to finding a safe—it’s about finding the one that fits your budget, needs, and, of course, one that has all the proper security features. Read on to find out which documents you should protect and how, along with some top-rated recommendations for fireproof safes.
Keep copies of financial, medical, and personal identification records in a fireproof safe.
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) recommends storing paper copies of your important documents and cash in a fireproof, waterproof safe. Important financial documents include lease or mortgage papers, bank records, insurance policies, tax statements, vehicle information, or student loan information. Don’t forget to have copies of your estate planning papers, such as wills, trusts, living will, and power of attorney documents. FEMA recommends also having digital copies of all important documents in a password-protected flash drive or hard drive that can then be stored in your fire-proof and waterproof safe. You can keep emergency cash in there as well. Regardless of extreme weather and natural disasters, it’s good practice to keep copies of your vital records in a safe, so the information is accessible to you when you need it.
Look for safes that have fire ratings.
When you’re shopping around for safes, make sure you find one that has been given a fire rating. Most of the time, you will see that a fireproof safe has been UL (Underwriter Laboratories) rated or classified. This tells how how much heat a safe can take, and for how long. For example, the description will say that a safe has been UL rated to withstand one hour of 1700-degree temperatures. This rating is important because it lets you know that the safe is actually fireproof.
