Preparedness: “Grab and Go Boxes ”

1. Preparedness:“Grab and Go Boxes ” Marilyn Albertson Utah State University Extension Family & Consumer Science Agent Salt Lake County

2. Adapted From: Teresa Hunsaker , B.S. FCS Agent, Weber County, USU Extension Marilyn Albertson, MS, CFCS, FCS Agent, Salt Lake County USU Extension SuzAnne Jorgensen, MS, CFCS, FCS Agent, Garfield County USU Extension Julie Ingersoll, MS, CFCS, FCS Agent, Kane County USU Extension Susan Cosgrove, Area Family Resource Management Agent, Mississippi State University Extension • LSU Ag Center • State of Mississippi • University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service • Virginia Cooperative Extension

4. St. George, Utah

5. Are You Prepared for Emergencies? • Natural Disasters • Tornado • Earthquake • Flood • Fire • Chemical/Bio Hazard • Pandemic • Medical Emergency • Death of a Family Member

6. St. Louis Missouri

7. Do You Have Your Financial Affairs Organized in Case of Emergencies? • Do you have adequate insurance to cover against risks? • Homeowners Insurance • Medical Insurance • Life Insurance • Auto Insurance

8. Is Your Household Prepared…Insurance cont. • Do you know what kind of homeowners insurance coverage you have and how extensive it would be if there be a flood, earthquake, theft, or other natural disaster? • How much medical insurance do you have and would it cover a severe illness, disability or hospitalization? • Do you have a life insurance policy adequate to cover needs of your family if you or your spouse were to die? If single, do you have adequate insurance to cover your bills and other expenses?

9. Take a Look at Your Record Keeping • Do you have important documents stored safely? • Do you know how long to store different types of records? • Do you have files set up for • Family Records • Property Records • Financial Records • Legal Records

10. Your Record Keeping……………. • Do you have a current household inventory? • Do you have a financial notebook prepared for an emergency?

11. Have a Plan… • Prepare a financial records inventory • Prepare financial records for safekeeping

12. Inventory your Vital Records and Treasures • Prepare photocopies of valuable papers • Organize financial papers • Create a plan of articles to save • Cash

13. Start Your Financial Information Binder What for? • Your Financial Information Binder is a quick reference to your entire financial situation. • It helps manage your financial affairs • It will be ready to help the person who will manage your affairs for you in the event that you are unable to do so.

14. Update Yearly • Maintenance? • Update annually • Whenever a significant change occurs: • birth • death • marriage • divorce • relocation • purchase • sale of assets

15. Activity… • On a piece of scratch paper or note paper, please write down all the telephone numbers of people you would call in an emergency. • Who is your out-of-state contact? • What numbers do you think would be important to have?

16. Parts of a Financial Binder • Personal Directory • Professional Directory • Document Locator • Wills and Trusts • Health Information • Financial Section • Personal Property Inventory

17. Parts of a Financial BinderContinued…. • Social Security Benefit Statement • Pension Benefits • Widowhood Analysis • Paycheck Stubs • Loans • Etc.

18. Next: Be Prepared for Disaster Assemble an Evacuation “To-Go” Box… or Financial Information Binder

19. What is a “To Go” Box or Binder? • Portable file of • Important papers • Cash • Phone numbers • Photos • Valuable information • And more!!

20. “To Go” Box or Binder Contents • Cash • Rolls of quarters

21. Emergency Phone Numbers and Email Addresses • Doctors, pharmacies • Financial institutions • Insurance companies • Local and national headquarters • Credit card companies • Clergy • Repair contractors • Family & friends

22. Copies of… • Homeowners, auto, flood, renter’s insurance policies AND policy numbers • Health, dental, and/or prescription insurance cards & numbers

23. Copies of… • Important prescriptions • Medicines • Eyeglasses • Children’s immunization records

24. Copies of… • Deeds • Titles • Wills &/ trust documents • Durable power of attorney • Healthcare directives

25. Copies of… • Stock and bond certificates • Home inventory • Birth, death, adoption and marriage certificates • Passports • Employee benefit documents

26. Copies of… • First two pages of previous year’s federal and state income tax returns • Military service records • Most original documents should be kept in a safe deposit box or at another location

27. Include….. • Back-up of computerized financial records • Keys to safe deposit box • Combination to safe • Labeled photos of family members and pets • Negatives/disks of irreplaceable photos

28. Include …. • User names, passwords • List of debt obligations with due dates, contact information • Photocopies, front and back, of all credit cards

29. Don’t forget : List of Important Numbers • Social Security (keep original card here or in safe deposit box) • Bank account • Loan • Credit card • Driver’s license • Investment account

30. Create Digital Files • Scan your documents • Store on flash drive and CD • If you use a flash drive, always back up on CD • NOTE: Computer files are not 100% safe; always have a back-up

31. Assembling “To-Go” Box Step 1 • Place items in folders or envelopes • Place in sealed, waterproof plastic • Store in durable, sealed box • Fireproof & waterproof is recommended

32. Assembling “To-Go” Box Step 2 Store box at home in SECURE location easy to access – under bed, in cabinet or closet near an outside door.

33. Assembling “To-Go” Box Step 3 • If you must evacuate grab box and take it with you • Keep box with you at all times • Do not leave box unattended in your car

34. Update “To Go” Box • Review annually • Update • Add or delete as needed

35. Replacing Valuable Documents • What if you lose everything? • Resources for replacing documents may be destroyed • Most can be replaced • Resource list compiled for Utah

36. Planning & Preparation Can prevent the unexpected from becoming a harsh financial reality

38. Be Ready Now? • It is time to get ready for the Big Utah Shakeout on April 14, 2012. Help your household be prepared.

39. Additional Preparedness tips… • 72 hours kits—maintained and reviewed—grab your “to go”box and your kit together. • Car kits for travel emergencies. • Carry-on kits for airplane travel emergencies.

40. Airline Travel Carry-on Kit • Cell phone charger/important numbers • Emergency ID card • Cash • Moist towelettes/kleenex • Food for backup • Drinks—buy once you get through security • Change of clothing/personal hygiene • Mylar blanket • Mark your luggage so it stands out

41. Sources of Information • American Red Cross • FDIC—for financial document info • EDEN—Extension Disaster Education Network • www.ready.gov from Homeland Security, or 1-800-Be Ready • www.beprepared.com • www.cdc.gov

42. Thank you! For more information contact your local Utah State University Extension Office. Utah State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution.