Posted on 06/08/2009 9:16:52 PM PDT by ChocChipCookie
In a panic situation, which happens around my house quite often, actually, people lose their wits. The extra adrenaline produced by the human body at such a moment causes confusion and the sense of events happening in slow motion.
It can even cause some of the same symptoms as a heart attack.
Can you imagine the level of adrenaline in your body if you suddenly got news of a dangerous chemical spill in your area or of a wildfire that had taken an abrupt turn toward your neighborhood?
Officials tell you to evacuate now.
Where on earth do you start??
Being prepared beforehand will calm your nerves and give you focus. A Grab-and-Go Binder is a vital part of your Family Preparedness Plan, and is one of the first things you should put together. This binder will contain all of the most pertinent information in one place for any type emergency.
You can be at least one jump ahead of all that adrenaline because you'll have your important documents all together in one place.It may take some time to gather all the records you need, but start now with what you have. In my opinion, "prepping" is no time to be a perfectionist. Do what you can, when you can, and you'll be much more prepared than the average person.
For this project you'll need a 1-2" three-ring binder, a set of tabbed dividers, and a copy machine. A box of plastic page protectors will keep your documents clean and unwrinkled. Your binder will be unique to your family, but here are some suggestions to get you started.
Financial Documents:
1. copies of the fronts and backs of debit/credit cards
2. copies of house and car titles
3. copy of your will
4. names, addresses and phone numbers of all our banks
5. other important documents related to employment and/or a family business
6. copies of your insurance policies (life, health, auto, homeowners, etc.)
Personal Documents:
1. names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of relatives and close friends
2. include copies of:
* marriage license
* birth certificates
* drivers licenses
* CCW permits
* pet vaccine records
3. a list of firearm serial numbers
4. legal documents pertaining to child custody matters
5. recent photos of each family member and each pet
6. color photos of your house and each room in the house
7. photos of anything of particular value
8. passports -- put them in a plastic page protector and seal the top with tape
Medical Documents:
1. copy of health insurance cards
2. a list of blood types for each family member
3. names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors
4. medical histories of each family member
5. immunization records
With your finished Grab-and-Go Binder, you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your family can focus on a quick bug-out, without trying to retrieve important family records.
What's in your Binder? I'd love to hear of anything unique to your family that you included!
Two Freepers, Squantos and Apple Pan Dowdy, added additional suggestions, which are located on my blog.
BTW, the blog has a completely different look. I spent a lot of time over the past couple of days experimenting with different themes and organizing content. If you visit, LMK what you think. I'm open to suggestions.
The Grab-n-Go Binder in detail.
That part's easy... Just look at them 'cuz they shoulda been the first things you grabbed!
I hope you realize this binder would be quite unpleasant to have taken by a burglar.
Be careful you don’t lose it or get it stolen. It’s an identity theft kit in a nice package.
One of my readers suggested keeping it in a safe and a second copy in a safety deposit box located 50+ miles from home, which I think is a great idea. Often, in emergencies you can’t immediately return to your home.
EXCELLENT POST.
WITH GOOD SUGGESTIONS for calm in a crisis preparation.
THANKS
PING TO END TIMES “A” LIST
Thanks for the ping!
Grab-n-Go Binder
I had done exactly this with originals in a bank safety deposit box.
The only difference was that that binder is zippered rip stop nylon with pockets that allows for ‘social situation tools’ and a SureFire flashlight. As well as a DVD with copies of other documents that would be sorely missed. Stored in a blind hidden pocket in the front hall closet.
It came in handy in 2005 when the adjacent townhouse caught fire and started to spread to our unit. FD forced evacuation and I grabbed it on the way out. Fortunately the damage to our unit was limited to the contiguous roof eave, although the fire fighters had to tear apart the master bedroom closet and hose that end of the attic. Because the gas line cut-off had a single valve for the eight unit block we were red-tagged for a week. The spare credit card and cash came in handy at 2 a.m. looking for a place to stay until the insurance agent responded
After the event I added copies of medical prescriptions and two weeks supply of meds, rotated on the regular scrip schedule. Also added a Trac-fone with 120 unit card.
Thanks for the ping. A lot of good info. and the wew layout of the site looks great.
The Grab-n-Go Binder in detail.
Self Reliant/Survivalist ping list
What the heck. I know I can't spell but this is rediculous.
Oh, forgot to mention several pens and pad of paper, useful for writing down info re: fire Inspectors, Police on scene, Red Cross assistance, witnesses, etc.
A use-once camera is also useful and doesn’t take up much space in the zippered binder.
here’s a link to a smilar binder:
http://www.amazon.com/Case-Large-Capacity-Zipper-Binder/dp/B000SE0SK0/ref=pd_sbs_op_2
Dont forget a .38 with 40 rounds!
Ping
http://www.survivaltopics.com/survival/bug-out-bag/
Most of the paperwork could be stored in a fireproof case.
*Include an assortment of your favorite weapons and ammo.*
Ping.
There’s still a lot you could put in there without compromising your identity.
All of our important documents are in our safe deposit box but thinking of grabbing the extra key is a good idea.
The next crisis we are going to face is survival. Not surviving fires, chemical spills etc........but survival of main sirens going off in cities all over the country; the martial law which is sure to follow. Medical records, financial records etc will mean little at that point. I’m trying to keep up with all the great ideas that are being posted on the survivalist ‘ping’ but some will not apply in the dark days ahead.
Have carried a backpack with me everywhere [church, restaurants, everywhere] . . . since my days in Asia when we never knew where we’d be at the end of the day and typically needed lots of essentials along the way.
Folks need to develop the habit.
No excuse at this point.
Yet knowing what will and won’t apply in all likely contingencies for an area is a bit tricky at this point.
Then there are the unlikely contingencies which will be plentiful.
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