Everyone has important documents that they need to keep secure from birth certificates to bank details. It is possible to keep important documents safely in an emergency or disaster with some planning, organization, digitizing, and storage tools.
The most common place to store key originals is a safety deposit box. It’s fairly inexpensive and provides an excellent level of security. You have to visit the bank during business hours to collect your documents.
Another option is a fireproof and waterproof document safe. Honeywell’s 1104 is an excellent choice, but the mini-refrigerator-sized model is more expensive at $125. It can hold hanging file folders and will keep them in place for up to an hour in temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. it also shields them from water intrusion for a long time.
Whatever container you choose to keep your documents in for long-term storage, you should keep them flat and don’t roll them or fold them. This will keep the documents from tearing or discoloring over time. Avoid using rubber bands or paper clips to hold pages in place as they can cause corrosion or tear the document and destroy its integrity.
People who want to be more cautious about the storage of paper documents can purchase archival boxes and sleeves made from materials that won’t deteriorate over time, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These items can be bought at office supply or hardware stores. The PVC material also protects documents from moisture that could harm them.