Store all important documents in a safe place, readily available if anything happens to the original.
A second or duplicate copies, should be maintained in a safe place outside of your home, such as a safe deposit box. These may include the following types of documents:
Family & Medical
- Telephone contacts and email addresses
- Recent picture of each family member
- Family member’s emergency contact information
- Local emergency/assistance contact information
- Essential records: birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Health cards and/or proof of insurance
- Immunization records – list of known medical conditions
- Family doctor/pharmacy contact information
- List of medications/personal needs (eye glasses, prescription medication)
- Legal guardian contact information
- Pet information (vaccination records, vet contact information)
- An out of town family ‘check in’ number in case family members become separated
Legal & Financial
- Cash (small bills as well as coins)
- Passports and social insurance cards
- Wills, power of attorney insurance policies, contracts, deeds, and investment records
- Bank account numbers and cheque books
- Credit card account numbers
- On-line passwords
- Contact information for financial and investment advisors/relations
- Driver/operator licences, vehicle registrations
- Proof of occupation/income (e.g., pay stub)
- List of debt obligations (account numbers and due dates)
Household & Miscellaneous
- Up-to-date inventory of home contents and valuables
- Spare keys (home, vehicle, safe deposit box, etc)
- Local evacuation routes and evacuation centre contact information
- Digital and print copies of family photos.