SAFEGUARD
CRITICAL
DOCUMENTS AND
VALUABLES
When disaster strikes, your immediate concern will be your safety and the safety of those you care about. Once the
immediate danger passes, however, having your financial and medical records and important contact information
will be crucial to help you start the recovery process quickly. Taking time now to safeguard these critical documents
will give you peace of mind, ensure you have access to essential medical and prescription information, and help you
avoid additional stress during the difficult days following a disaster.
In addition, take the time now to think about the priceless personal items you would want to protect from damage
or take with you if you had to suddenly evacuate your home.
The first step is to take an inventory of your household documents, contacts, and valuables. The checklist below will get
you started. Then download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) at www.ready.gov/financialpreparedness
for more complete checklists and guidance on collecting and safeguarding this important information.
Put a checkmark next to any item that you may need to collect and safeguard. Be sure to include emergency contact
phone numbers or other contact information with your documentation for questions that may arise following a disaster.
Think about the documents you would need to identify yourself
HOUSEHOLD and your household members, including children and pets, your
IDENTIFICATION relationships, or status. These may include:
Vital records (birth, marriage, divorce certificate, adoption, child custody papers)
Passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, green card, military service
identification, other
Pet ownership papers, identification tags
FEMA P-1096/July 2018
If your home or income is impacted by a disaster, you will need
FINANCIAL documentation to request assistance from insurance providers
AND LEGAL
and from government disaster assistance programs.
DOCUMENTATION
Housing: lease or rental agreement, mortgage, home equity line of credit, deed
Vehicle: loan documents, VIN, registration, title
Other Financial Obligations: utility bills, credit cards, student loans, alimony,
child support, elder care, automatic payments such as gym memberships
Financial Accounts: checking, savings, debit cards, retirement, investment
Insurance Policies: homeowners, renters, auto, life, flood, appraisals, photos,
and lists of valuable items
Sources of Income: pay stubs, government benefits, alimony, child support
Tax Statements: Federal/state income tax returns, property tax, vehicle tax
Estate Planning: will, trust, power of attorney
Health/dental insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA health benefits
MEDICAL List of medications, immunizations, allergies, prescriptions,
INFORMATION
medical equipment and devices, pharmacy information
Living will, medical power of attorney
Caregiver agency contract or service agreement
Disabilities documentation
Contact information for doctors/specialists, dentists,
pediatricians, veterinarians
Employers/supervisors
EMERGENCY Schools
OR HOTLINE
CONTACT INFORMATION Houses of worship
FOR HOUSEHOLD Social service providers
Homeowners Associations
Home Repair Services: utilities, plumber, roofer, carpenter, electrician
Priceless personal mementos, family photos, and keepsakes
VALUABLES Possessions with monetary value, including jewelry, art, and collectibles
AND PRICELESS
PERSONAL ITEMS
2
Once you have gathered your financial, legal, and contact
PROTECT information, it is essential to safeguard this information.
YOUR DOCUMENTS
AND VALUABLES Consider storing paper copies of important documents at home in a fireproof
and waterproof box or safe, in a bank safe deposit box, or with a trusted
friend or relative. If you are using a safe deposit box, you may want to ask
your bank or check state laws to confirm who can and cannot access the
safe deposit box if the lessee dies or is incapacitated.
Store electronic copies of important documents in a password-protected
format on a removable flash or external hard drive in your fireproof and
waterproof box or safe, or consider using a secure cloud-based service.
Visit www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/st04-019 to learn how to use electronic
encryption to protect sensitive information.
Think about where you store valuable belongings and ways to better protect
these items. If you have valuable items stored in a basement, you may want
to move them to a higher location and put them in waterproof containers to
avoid water damage. Or you may want to keep small items in a flood/fireproof
home safe. You may also want to secure items that are displayed on shelves
or walls if your home may be subject to high winds or earthquakes.
Thank you for doing your part to prepare! Spread the word and encourage others
to join the movement at www.ready.gov/prepare.
FEMA P-1096
Catalog No. 17166-4
12 WAYS TO PREPARE
EXIT
Sign up Make a Plan Save for a Practice Test Family Safeguard
for Alerts Rainy Day Emergency Communication Documents
and Warnings Drills Plan
Plan with Make Your Know Assemble or Get Involved in Document and
Neighbors Home Evacuation Update Your Community Insure Property
Safer Routes Supplies
