How to Keep Your Important Documents Safe
There’s a lengthy list of documents you should protect in the event of a catastrophe from family documents like birth certificates, to financial paperwork to legal documents like wills. But how do you keep these important documents safe?
Taking inventory, making extra copies and keeping them in a secure place are just some of the ways to ensure your important documents are safe. You can also utilize online document storage options such as password protected external hard drives, cloud based platforms or secure scanners to create an encrypted digital copy.
Physical filing systems are a further security measure for documents especially when they’re fireproof. There are many alternatives available, ranging from small fireproof safes designed for use at right here home to larger ones that can store file cabinets with hanging folders. If you’d rather not face the additional hassle of having to deal with physical filing, consider the use of a virtual system like Shoeboxed that digitizes receipts and expense records to make it easier to get reimbursed quickly, increase tax deductions and perform your accounting.
A fireproof safe can protect your important documents from damage caused by theft and environmental factors. There are a variety of options available, from small safes that are hidden in the back of a closet to large safes designed to stand up to extreme temperatures and protect your possessions from flooding. Honeywell 1104 for instance, can keep documents intact in extreme heat for up to an hour and keeps out water (water is used to eliminate a fire). A smaller safe is more affordable and easier to transport than a larger safe. Some are even waterproof to provide additional security.