Part of planning for any natural disaster should include making copies of all your important documents.
(NewsUSA) - The impact of disasters like last year’s Gulf Coast hurricanes is often long-term. As victims try to put their lives back in order, they frequently face the challenge of locating important documents that might have been lost or destroyed.
For many people, it takes a disaster to remind them of the 
importance of having copies of vital documents safely stored somewhere other than their homes.
A recent study commissioned by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. franchise network disclosed that 58 percent of those surveyed said that natural disasters have made them more aware of this need.
Yet only 21 percent of respondents have started preparing for a natural disaster. Of those who have started preparations, just over half indicated that they have taken steps to copy important documents.
The UPS Store franchisee Steve Spicer recommends that people make copying important documents a yearly ritual.
“Tax time is the perfect time to inventory and copy necessary papers,” he says. “We encourage customers to bring in important documents along with their tax returns. It just takes a few minutes and a few cents to duplicate each document.”
The survey indicated that a vast majority of respondents - 71 percent - consider their birth certificate to be among the most important documents to copy. Other documents cited include financial records, such as wills, bank records and credit card information (34 percent); insurance information (31 percent); social security card and related information (29 percent); and the deed for their house (20 percent).
There are a number of resources available to help people decide which documents are the most critical to have available in case of a disaster. The Red Cross provides a list of important family documents at http://www.redcross.org. The Federal Emergency Management Agency developed an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, designed to help people organize their personal information, available at http://www.ready.gov.
In addition to important identification and financial documents, people shouldn’t overlook items that have sentimental value. Often the loss of cherished items is more devastating than anything else. For that reason, one-of-a-kind items like cards, letters and photographs should be copied and saved along with legal documents.
Make sure you copy those drivers licenses, passports, insurance papers, and credit cards today so you’ll be prepared tomorrow. Don’t overlook a disaster recovery plan for your business either. It’s just as important to secure electronic data off the premises as well as copy your business licenses, permits and other important documents.
