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off or you might later receive a bill. They tend to be pretty understanding if you explain that your residence burned down, but why waste that energy later when you're going to need it to deal with many other issues.

It's a great idea to keep copies of your identification handy as well. When they let us back in the building the next day, we had to prove that we lived there. Everyone trapped in the building that day had to escape over their balconies because the hallways and stairs were engulfed in flames. Having this kit with your ID near your escape route will allow you to grab it on the way out.

You'll want an extra set of checks in your kit because you're still going to have expenses and you're going to want the paper trail especially as you deal with clean up companies. Even if you're unable to get to your checkbook, you'll still have access to your checking account via the checks. This is the other reason you want to have copies of your credit cards. If you don't have to cancel them, you can still use the number for internet purchases that you may need to make in the meantime.

Finally, make sure you have copies of your lease/rental agreement or mortgage papers in this kit. Especially in the case of renting, you want have to have written documentation of your landlord's responsibilities in the event of a fire or similar emergencies. Make sure you have documentation of your security deposit in case he or she shortchanges you as mine did.

Going through a disaster such as a fire is devastating enough. But if you keep a Preparedness Kit such as the one I described above you'll take quite a bit of the strain off yourself. Even if you don't think about it in your rush to escape danger, keep it in a safe box so it'll be more or less intact when you or your clean up company are cleared for reentry. You'll want it to be handy. If the fire department only gives you ten minutes to gather important items you want to make sure you have all of these documents.

Until next time, let patience have her perfect work.

Learn more about this author, Lori Crawford.
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