How to Create an Emergency Binder
What if something serious were to happen to you? If you are married, what if something serious were to happen to you and your spouse? If prolonged hospitalization were required, would someone be able to manage your household—paying the bills and caring for your children? What if you were to die? Would your family members know where to find your most important information, or would they be left with a stressful search?
Every household should have an emergency binder. An emergency binder is a single place where all your most important information can be found. And it can be a huge blessing for your loved ones.
Hospitalization and death are not necessarily enjoyable topics to consider. However, it is wise to prepare for such events. An emergency binder can bring about a sense of peace to you and your loved ones.
How do you create an emergency binder?
1. Familiarize yourself with the Essential Emergency Binder pages.
A guide like the Essential Emergency Binder can be immensely helpful. It provides direction for your emergency binder. This document provides over 60 pages, covering:
· Financial Information
· Medical Information
· Childcare Information
· Bill Information
· Funeral Preferences
· And Many Other Important Categories.
Familiarizing yourself with the pages helps you know what types of information to gather. It can also make you feel more confident in your ability to create a thorough emergency binder.
2. Consider completing a section at a time.
Truly helpful emergency binders include a significant amount of information, and the thought of preparing such a resource can be overwhelming. For some, it is best to complete their emergency binder one section at a time. Setting aside thirty-minutes to an hour per day for each section can help reduce feeling overwhelmed. And in turn, the likelihood of completing your emergency binder will increase.
3. Gather information for each section.
After reviewing a section, spend some time gathering all the needed information. Having all the information present makes the input process go more quickly.
4. Before completing a section, ask, “Is there anything else?”
Before determining whether a section is finished, pause and consider if anything else is needed. There may be some items you prefer to include that were not specifically listed on the Essential Emergency Binder pages.
5. Once completed, print out a physical copy of the emergency binder.
It can be beneficial to have both a digital and physical version of your emergency binder. For the physical version, you may consider placing it in a red, three-ring binder.
6. Identify a safe place to put both the digital and physical versions of the emergency binder.
Because of the type of information in the emergency binder, finding a safe place for both the physical and digital versions of the binder is a necessity. For the physical version, you may want to consider placing it in a fireproof, locked safe.
7. Inform loved ones of the emergency binder
Your loved ones need to know that such a resource exists. This will ensure that if anything were to happen to you, one of their first steps would be to access the emergency binder. Of course, be careful to whom you provide access instructions. Not everyone needs to know the combination to your safe.
8. Review and update the emergency binder every year.
The most difficult part of developing an emergency binder is the initial creation. Afterwards, only updates are necessary. At least once per year, review and update your emergency binder, especially if there are several account usernames and passwords.
Peace of mind. That’s ultimately what these pages are meant to deliver. Peace of mind for you and your loved ones. An emergency binder is an act of care for your loved ones. If a significant emergency where to occur, these pages will help loved ones know what to do next.
