8 Items You Need to Store in a Fireproof Safe

There are few things more terrifying than an uncontrollable blaze, which can destroy cherished memories and important documents in the blink of an eye. While the odds of experiencing such a devastating fire are small, it’s still important to be prepared for such an emergency by investing in a fireproof safe — a heat-resistant and sturdy container that will keep everything important to you safe in a crisis. Here are eight items that you should always store in a fireproof safe.

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Homeowners Insurance Policy

Your insurance information is one of the first things you’ll need after an emergency. Keep a copy of your current homeowners insurance policy inside your safe. 

Identifying Documents

A driver’s license is required to prove your identity for employment, government services, and domestic travel. Unfortunately, they can also be difficult and time-consuming to replace. Save yourself the hassle by keeping a recently expired copy of your driver’s license inside your safe. This will help you prove your identity while you are waiting for a replacement. Keep other pieces of identifying information, such as birth certificates and Social Security cards, in there, as well — you will need them when applying for a passport or opening a bank account, among many other things.

Important Passwords

Write down the passwords to your email, bank accounts, protected files, and other sensitive accounts and store them in your safe. This ensures that your family can easily access those accounts in an emergency—or if you happen to forget an important password.

Deeds

You should always protect deeds in case you decide to sell or refinance something. This includes the deeds for your home, car, and other properties. Real estate attorneys aren’t required to keep copies of these deeds on hand, so it’s important to maintain and preserve a personal record.

Your Will

While you undoubtedly have already entrusted your will to a lawyer or an executor, you should always keep an original copy at home, stored inside a secure safe. To avoid the possibility of assets going back to the state rather than to your heirs and loved ones, keeping your will at home ensures that an updated copy will always be on hand and easy to access.

Emergency Cash

A supply of “crisis cash” can come in handy in an emergency. Take the time to determine the amount you may need to get by while you’re getting back on your feet, whether a few hundred dollars for a week for groceries or enough for a temporary hotel stay. 

Medical Information

Natural disasters don’t just damage property — they can also impact your health. Keep copies of your medical insurance policy, a list of current prescriptions, and any other pertinent medical documentation that you believe is important for a healthcare provider to know.

Valuable Jewelry

You should keep your most prized jewelry inside a fireproof safe to avoid damage. This has another benefit: It keeps irreplaceable items extra secure in case of a robbery.

The Best Fireproof Safe

If you don’t have a fireproof safe yet but want to protect these irreplaceable items, we’ve picked out a great option for you. This large fire- and waterproof option is guaranteed to withstand extreme elements, keeping your valuables safe and secure. A master key ensures that even a cracked combination won’t compromise your sensitive documents.

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