One of the best things you can do for yourself, EVER, is to be prepared. Emergency situations, personal crises, health issues, are life in real-time. The crisies can range from a newly diagnosed terminal illness death, disaster and lots in between. What can you do to prepare yourself and your loved ones to confidently walk through these times and to enjoy peace of mind? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary on line a crisis is defined as:
- “An emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person’s life”
- “An unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome”
Emergency Preparedness at Home
An important first step is to accept that bad things do happen to good people. Fully prepare what you need to have and do in every life event. Remember, preparing doesn’t just include planning an escape route or the physical things you get together when you create a disaster preparedness kit. Emergency preparedness should also include collecting and organizing all of your vital documents and personal information i.e. medical information.
Your Vital Documents
When you have the information in one place it is ready to grab and go when you need it. Some of the vital personal information you can gather for yourself and your loved ones includes:
- Personal data about yourself, your spouse, your children
- A list of assets, account numbers, bank contacts
- Debt information such as credit card and mortgage information
- A photo or video home inventory
- Insurance policy numbers including vehicle, home, medical, etc.
- Estate plan information such as a living will and revocable living trust
It is also helpful to document information that might be needed if someone were to step into your shoes for a time. This could include the name of your plumber and electrician, where your water and gas shut offs are, and the name and telephone number for your veterinary. Remembering or deciding what is vital these days can be overwhelming. If you want some help, the Life at Hand® Handbook, included with the Life at Hand® system, offers handy checklists about which documents to collect and store in one place. Unfortunately, life happens when we are least prepared or expecting it. I vividly remember receiving word of my 24 year-old son’s tragic death and the challenge of settling his estate from a community 1500 miles away. It took months in the midst of grieving his transition. In fact, the Life at Hand® products were largely inspired by this experience. I can’t encourage you enough to take the time to ensure that the very foundation of your life will withstand the quake of crisis. You’ll be glad you did!