| When we pack a "bug out bag" or emergency | | | | 3. Credit cards |
| preparedness kit we first think of food, water | | | | 4. Bank contact information, including account |
| and other critical supplies. We don't always think | | | | numbers and passcodes |
| about the papers and documents we'll need if we | | | | 5. Prescriptions for any medical supplies or |
| can't get home again quickly. | | | | medications that are critical |
| If you're living away from home or staying in an | | | | 6. Title documents for all vehicles and real estate |
| emergency shelter, your basic safety and | | | | 7. Insurance documents for all real estate and |
| essential needs will be somewhat guaranteed. In | | | | vehicles |
| order to start getting your life back on track you | | | | 8. Custody documents for any children |
| may face insurmountable obstacles if you can't | | | | 9. Emergency contact numbers for family |
| prove who you are, that you have available | | | | members, all insurance carriers (with policy |
| financial resources, and that you have insurance | | | | numbers), and primary care doctors and |
| to cover your losses. | | | | pharmacies. |
| When you're packing your emergency kit it pays | | | | If you have space there are other documents |
| to also pack copies of your most important | | | | that will be handy to have in case your relocation |
| financial and legal documents. When the sirens | | | | is lengthy. If you don't have the space to carry all |
| sound you won't have time to locate your | | | | this information in your bug out bag, make copies |
| important papers and make copies, so do this | | | | and mail them in one large package to someone |
| now while things are quiet. The little space these | | | | trustworthy who does not live in the same |
| items will take in your go-pack will be well worth | | | | geographic area you do. You don't want the |
| it. | | | | person holding these documents to be evacuated, |
| Wrap copies of the following documents in a | | | | too. |
| waterproof bag and stash them in a small pack | | | | 1. Medical record summaries for anyone in your |
| you can remove from your bug-out bag and | | | | family with a health issue |
| wear around your waist during an actual | | | | 2. School records, in case your evacuation is |
| emergency. You will want these with you at all | | | | lengthy |
| times. Never leave them unattended in your | | | | 3. Marriage certificates and military discharge |
| emergency kit. You don't want your identity | | | | document (DD214) |
| stolen when you aren't looking: | | | | For additional convenience, scan all these |
| 1. Your identification documents: Driver's license, | | | | documents onto a small flash drive to carry with |
| birth certificates, passports and Social Security | | | | you. You will then be able to easily transmit them |
| cards | | | | from anywhere you can find an internet |
| 2. Health insurance cards, front and back so you | | | | connection without having to make more |
| have all contact numbers | | | | photocopies. |