Records Preparedness for the Hurricane Season
<p> Hurricane season is upon the Hampton Roads area and now is the time to prepare. Being ready for a disaster is more than storing water and supplies. You also need to identify and protect key records. Starting early and having a plan to pay your bills and access your important records and accounts help you get back on your feet faster and avoid problems with your credit when you need it most. Here are some suggestions:</p> <ul> <li> Make a record of your personal property for insurance purposes. Take photos or a video of the interior and exterior of your home. Include personal belongings in your inventory. You may also want to download the free <a href="http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/pdf_pubs/houseinv.pdf">Household and Personal Property Inventory Book</a> from the University of Illinois to help you record your possessions.</li> <li> Obtain property, health and life insurance if you do not have them. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required for you and your family for all possible hazards.</li> <li> Store important documents such as insurance policies, deeds, property records, DD Form 214 (former military) and other important papers in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box away from your home. Another option is to scan them onto a CD and send a copy to a family member that lives in another part of the country. Make copies of important documents for your<a href="http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit"> disaster supplies kit</a>. Having such information handy should make the registration process for FEMA benefits as well as insurance claims smoother, should you be involved in a presidentially declared disaster. </li> <li> Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. You should keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks at home in a safe place where you can quickly access them in case of evacuation. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATM’s and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food.</li> </ul> <p> For these and other records management tips, please contact ODU’s University Records Manager, Bruce White at 683-7017 or <a href="mailto:blwhite@odu.edu">blwhite@odu.edu</a>.</p>
Records Preparedness.docx (15.6 KB)
Posted By: Bruce White
Date: Thu Jun 06 10:34:33 EDT 2013