Scientists have long proven that global warming is to be taken seriously. And if that was not enough for some to entertain the idea, the extreme warmth of last summer shows that the numbers can certainly not be debated anymore. The problem is that the warmer seas and oceans get, the more devastating natural disasters can become. Here is how each individual can protect themselves by keeping a track record of their documents and belongings.
Keep All Your Most Important Documents in PDF Format
When a wildfire rages, there is often no way to know where it will be heading precisely until the last minute. And so, when families are made aware that they have to leave the house and take only their most important belongings, chances are that they will leave one or more important documents behind. And if the house is burned down to the ground, there will start the long journey of recuperation, which after the devastation will make the whole process of getting back on their feet even more difficult than it already is.
That is why these documents need to be turned into PDF files that can be kept in various locations. Think of a USB drive, an external memory and on The Cloud as well, to always have a copy in your hands, no matter what could happen, including losing them to a natural disaster. The great thing about this format is that you can actually edit a PDF online. Therefore, if you want to add notes to them, you can easily do so. For example, on a birth certificate document, you may want to add a picture of the person as well on another page. Just make sure that the documents themselves are not modified in any way; otherwise, these virtual copies that you took the time to make could be useless in the end.
Here is a quick list of some of the personal documents that are a must when you decide to create PDF copies. Of course, they should be done for each member of the family.
- Birth and death certificates
- Social security cards (copy of both sides)
- ID cards and passports (for the passport, make a copy of the cover and the first four pages, where all the personal information is indicated)
- Wills and powers of attorney (if they happen to change in time, make sure you only keep the last copy in all locations where they can find the PDF)
- Marriage license
- House deeds and mortgage documents
- Pension plan
- Green cards (if any)
Work and Insurance Documents should not be forgotten
Once you are done with your personal documents, you need to handle everything that has to do with work and the various insurances you may have acquired through time. By using PDF Smart, you can easily do the necessary file modifications by adding elements, as described below. It also lets you do a format change, as well.
Many will simply have a contract for work, which will make it easy. But for those who have a business, they will need to turn the physical business license into a PDF document. This is the most important paper that you will need to carry around. As for the rest, it will greatly depend if you work from home or an office. If the answer is “a,” then you need to make sure with your accountant that there are copies of the fiscal documents and everything that is legally binding kept somewhere safe outside your home.
When it comes to insurance, PDF files are certainly the most secure way to make sure that if anything happens to any items of value that you own, you will be reimbursed. What you need to do is to take a picture of the object and scan the receipt that you were provided with when you bought it and add it to the document. Do this for anything that you deem worth it and save it with your personal files. If any natural disaster hits your house, and they get lost or destroyed, providing this PDF to your insurance company will simplify the reimbursement process greatly.
Finally, you should add to these the vehicle titles that you own or are loaning at the moment. In fact, any other loan documents should also find their way on the USB, external drive and The Cloud. This is the best way to ensure that future natural disasters won’t make your life even harder than it will be.
