Your home is full of precious items, but one area that often goes unnoticed when it comes to home security is the storage of crucial papers. People commonly misplace or forget a financial document; only 40% can retrieve crucial documents if needed. This is why there is a binding need for storage units.
Aside from knowing where your documents are, some documents, such as social security information or tax records, might be just as appealing to a thief as your large screen TV or electronics. When keeping essential papers, you want to do two things: retain the information near at hand in case you need it and preserve the information safe from theft, fire, or other disasters. And this is where document storage units come into the picture.
Here are some tricks and suggestions you can utilize while storing your documents.
Security Deposit Box
A safe deposit box is your best choice for storing crucial papers. Safe deposit boxes are available at the majority of banks and credit unions. Some banks will also give you a discount if you are an existing customer.
A safe deposit box is ideal for holding original papers such as wills, birth certificates, annual tax returns, social security cards, and powers of attorney. The key to using a safe deposit box is to plan ahead of time. Because the pack is at your bank or credit union, you won’t be able to access information if required rapidly, so prepare copies of documents containing the information you might need right away to save at home.
Before closing the box, place all of the documents in plastic bags
While lockboxes are typically watertight, leaks can occur during a flood. Because water may destroy crucial papers, providing a second layer of defense is preferable. Before placing the documents in the box, put them in sealable plastic bags.
As an added precaution against flood damage, you should store the box in a high area, such as on a shelf or the second level.
Place the lockbox in an easily accessible location that you can immediately access
You might never want to leave your house in a hurry again. However, if there is an emergency, such as a natural disaster, you cannot afford to lose time hunting for your paperwork.
Place your lock box where you can readily reach it so you can get to it quickly. In an emergency, this will save you valuable time. You should conceal the box in case of a robber breaks into your home. Holding it in the back of your closet should suffice as long as you know where it is and can get to it quickly.
Inform other members of your home about the box’s location in case they need to depart quickly while you are not around.
Make use of the shredder
Use your shredder at least once a month. Shred your credit card offers, old receipts, expired credit cards, bank statements, and utility bills. Never throw away a receipt from a credit card purchase since your number and/or name are certainly on there, and crooks can use it to their advantage.
Label the boxes
Label the box to make it easier to find. Make it visible if you’re in a rush or if someone else needs to get the package. Put a label on it that says “Important Documents.” In an emergency, you can easily locate and grab the box this way.
Use plastic page protectors
When putting your papers in a safe, you should safeguard them from wear and tear and accidental spillage. Plastic page slips are one method for accomplishing this. Place documents in a plastic sleeve and file them in a binder or box. The binder may then be placed inside your safe. Each paper should be on its own plastic page.
Place all of your personal identity documents in the portable lockbox.
In the case of a calamity, you’ll need to be able to confirm your identification and familial links. Keep originals of whatever you need to identify yourself and your family in the lockbox.
Your passport, social security card, birth certificate, and green card or immigration records are examples of self-identification papers.
Rent A Self Storage Unit
This may sound bizarre to you, but it is not. Instead, it is the most beneficial option of all those mentioned above. You can rent safe and secure self storage with the help of the Leeveit website. Visit the website, search near your location, contact the owner, and make use of their empty space. This way, you will store your essential documents while avoiding clutter at home.
