Protecting Your Home - Just in Case

Stuff happens! No matter how much we think we are prepared - sometimes we have no control over things.

Hurricanes, earthquakes, fires....and more - can change your life in a split second. 

If something happens and destroys your home - and all of your possessions - are you prepared to tell the insurance company exactly what you have in your home and what the value is?  Are you insured for the right amount? 

Insurance companies will want/need proof of what was in your home and it's value. Do you remember every single thing that you owned? Do you have actual documentation or pictures of any of your belongings?

When you are in the middle of a tragedy you probably aren't thinking about the actual value of your loss. It's not until weeks later that things sink in. 

If you lost your home to a hurricane, earthquake or fire (or anything else) - do you have the money to rebuild? Are you sure that the insurance company is going to give you fair compensation for what you have lost?

One way to be prepared - for any emergency - is to have an accurate record of everything in your home.

An easy way to do this is to use a system that was designed specifically for this purpose.

Pinventory is an application that is easy to use and can take an inventory of your home or business - just in case.

What exactly is Pinventory?

An inventory is a visual catalog of your physical property, digital items and critical documents that are financially, sentimentally, and legally valuable to you, your family, and your business.

With increased weather activity and incidences of theft, inventories are becoming more and more important as a way to prove what you own, should you ever have to file a claim, and is equally important to be able to do proper insurance and estate planning.

Pinventory^® Home & Business is a secure, web-based platform with a companion mobile app that makes creating any type of inventory a breeze.  You just take photos of an item using the companion app, input or dictate basic information about the item and, when you hit “Save”, Pinventory seamlessly puts both the photos and the information into your account on the Pinventory platform.  You can then log onto the platform and add values, stories, and lots of other information, attach receipts and appraisals, designate who should ultimately get the item, and print out box labels and professional looking reports of all kinds, including insurance claim reports, exporting them to PDF, Word, Excel and many other formats.  You can even have Pinventory create a catalog to MaxSold, the online auction house, to sell your items.

 

If it’s important to you and your family, it belongs in Pinventory!

Pinventory  -   Home & Business Inventory System   - Enter code: Fried15  for a 15 % discount

Less Clutter = Less Stress ^SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

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Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Being Prepared For All Emergencies - Get Organized!

It's fire season - and for those of us living out west we need to be prepared to evacuate at any moment.  Are you ready?

What can you grab in a few minutes?  What's really important?  Besides your life and that of your family?

What about important papers - birth certificates, passports, bank information, life/health insurance information, medications......

What about contact information for family members and friends?  With everyone being on speed dial most of us don't have people's phone numbers memorized anymore. How can you get in contact with family members to tell them where you ended up?

There are many emergency situations that we should be prepared for besides fires.  What about hurricanes and tornadoes?   Wind storms?

Being organized means thinking about all of the things that could happen - before they actually happen.

Read some of my previous posts to learn what to do in emergency situations:

Fire - Are You Read?

Getting Ready for an Emergency - September is National Preparedness Month  

Disasters - Emergencies - and everything in between....

So don't wait....  get organized for an emergency!


Organizational Consulting Services

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Emergencies Happen - Are You Ready

Most people thing that "disasters" only happen to other people.  Mostly people that live near the ocean.  The East Coast just got hit with a major disaster. Most of the people probably weren't as prepared as they should have been.

Disaster can and usually does strike when we are the least prepared. So what can or should we do about it?

We need to get away from the "it won't happen to us" mentality.  Even if you don't live near the ocean disaster can strike. The west gets their share of wildfires.  The mid-west gets tornadoes. Disasters take all kinds of shapes.

But the bottom line is.... "Are You Prepared"?

Do you have supplies and more importantly "personal information" ready?  Information such as your birth certificate and other identifying information, insurance information, bank information, contact information for family and friends.... 

Cash - because if the electricity is out your credit cards won't do you any good.

Gas for your car.  Extra food and water to last you a while. Medication. Clothes.

There are a lot of things to think about. Don't wait. Start putting together an "emergency plan" today.

Just in case. Be prepared.

For more information re-read   "Disaster - Emergencies and Everything In Between"

Organizational Consulting Services

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Disasters - Emergencies - and everything in between....

Having just passed the anniversary of 9/11 we should all be aware of the fact that disaster can strike anywhere. The question is "are you ready"?

Everyone should be prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s the loss of power and electricity (which could last for days) or a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster…. Or a terrorist attack…

Being prepared is not an “option” anymore. Even if just the electricity went out…and you happen to have an “all electric” home….would you be able to survive? Do you have enough food to last you for a few days? What happens if all the stores are closed?

These are just some things to think about….. especially if you live in a remote area and don't have quick access to a store.

There are numerous websites and articles that tell you to be prepared to survive for at least three (3) days if an emergency occurs. The “72 Hour Kit” as some people call it.

Besides the basic kit, you also need to have an emergency plan in place. Below is a basic list that will give you some ideas to get you started (there are numerous variations of this kit).

Basic Kit:

Water – one (1) gallon per person , per day for at least three (3) days
Food – 3 days supply of non-perishable food. Some ideas are: soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, crackers,
peanut butter, beef jerky, fruit cups….
Plastic / paper – plates, cups, napkins…
Radio – battery powered
Flashlight – with extra batteries
First aid kit – basic kit
Whistle
Can opener
Garbage bags & plastic bags (various sizes)
Sleeping Bag
Blankets
Clothes – for three (3) days
Shoes
Coats & rain gear & cold weather gear
Personal hygiene products such as: shampoo, lotion, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine
products, sunscreen…..
Wet wipes
Toilet Paper
Sewing Kit
Paper & pencils
Matches / lighter (in water proof container)
Cash
Basic tools (wrench, pliers, scissors….)
Maps
Water purification tablets (or Chlorine Bleach)
Hand Sanitizer
String / rope / cord
Cooking appliances (portable stove with fuel….)


Some things (like medications…) cannot pack ahead of time…so have a checklist prepared for those items.

Checklist for supplies that need to be packed last minute:

Prescription medication
Infant formula
Pet food
Family documents (passport, birth certificates, identification cards, bank info, insurance info….)
Watch
Games for kids


Start thinking about how you and your family would handle an emergency….and start planning for it today…before that emergency strikes.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

YOUR BUSINESS + A CRISIS: ARE YOU PREPARED ?

People don’t like to think about emergencies. Not in their personal lives and certainly not in business. But as a small business owner you can’t just stick your head in the sand.

If you own a small business (in terms of people, not sales) it is imperative that you are prepared for all emergencies.

Let’s start with thinking about you as the business owner. If something happened to you or a member of your family and you could not be involved in your business for a few days, weeks or months…. could the business survive without you? Do you have someone in place that can run things or take charge while your gone?

You may be the healthiest person on the planet….but a car accident or a medical crisis with a family member can have your spiraling out of control and the last thing that you are going to be thinking about is your business.

Do you have a back up plan?

Do you have a manager or key employee that can handle things while you are gone?

Do you have an operations manual? Do you have anything documented? Those are a lot of things to think about. And unfortunately I have seen too many businesses where there is no documentation of any kind.

Now let’s say that you are just fine but that your key employee leaves. Can your business survive? Have you given one employee too much power that if they left they can cripple your business?

Do you have job descriptions for all of your employees? Including yourself?

Is everyone trained in everyone else’s job?

Let’s go one step further. What if your building burns down? I’m just saying…..

Do you have everything documented and taken OFF SITE ???? Do you have backups of your backups? Have you tested your backup system lately? Have you tried re-storing your backup tapes to be sure they work?

As the old saying goes “been there…done that…”. Yes, my backup tapes said they were “just fine”. They weren’t. And then came the crash. Of course it was two weeks before the end of the year when I usually run every single report with data from January through December. Two more weeks and I would have been fine. But I wasn’t. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Are you starting to get a bit nervous because you don’t have a backup plan and I’ve made you think about things that you never wanted to think about?

Don’t stick your head in the sand. Accidents happen. Emergencies happen. Loyal long time employees leave you hanging. Stuff happens.

Be prepared. Get your business organized. Start today.

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

Organizing Your Life - Preparing of the Unexpected

Listen to internet radio with The Joyful Organizer on Blog Talk Radio

Being prepared for the unexpected is something that most people don't want to think about. But it's something that everyone needs to do. Having all of your legal, medical & health information documented and having someone know where to find it.... in case of an emergency, illness or death .... is critical.

Listen to this Radio Show and start getting yourself organized today.
It's crucial.

ARE YOU READY FOR A DISASTER ?

If you only had a few minutes to get out of your house for a disaster (such as a hurricane) would you be prepared for an emergency? Would you be able to grab your important papers and things you must have and be out of your house in minutes?

Do you know where all of your important papers are? Are they all in one central spot for quick and easy access in case of emergency?

Things such as:

* Drivers License (or other identification)
* Passport
* Birth Certificate
* Social Security Card
* House Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Life Insurance papers (or contact info)
* Marriage License
* Financial Info
* Money


What about some of your favorite possessions? Things that you can’t replace, such as photo albums?

Since most people keep a lot of information on their computer or laptop, do you have backups and are they up to date and in a spot that you can easily access?

Do you know what you would take in an emergency? Have you ever thought about it?

I’ve never been in situation where my home had to be evacuated, though I have been in a hurricane with no place to go (a very frightening experience).

If you are evacuated from your home and your home is destroyed you will have to deal with a variety of issues, including insurance issues, where you will have to prove your identity. Can you?

In an emergency people tend to grab the strangest things. Not always the most practical things.

So think about what you would do in an emergency situation where you had to evacuate (especially if you live in high hurricane areas).

Prioritize your possessions and what you really need to get back on your feet.

Get yourself organized before disaster strikes. And then hope that you never have to put your plan into place.

It’s better to be prepared for a disaster than to have to go through the trauma of dealing with things that you are unprepared to handle.



Organizational Consulting Services

www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

National Preparedness Month

Being prepared goes hand-in-hand with being organized, and it is fitting that NAPO would be part of a nationwide event aimed at better emergency preparedness. NAPO has again joined forces with the Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign for the seventh annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), held during September. As a national coalition member for the fifth consecutive year, NAPO strives to educate the public through individual member and chapter informational events held during National Preparedness Month.

This year, NPM will focus on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and will help Americans understand what it truly means to be ready for emergencies that may arise at home, at work, or in the world. Preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks, and extra food in the pantry. Being Ready includes: preparing an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses, and getting involved in community efforts. (reprinted from http://www.napo.net/)


Re-read our BLOG post from April on “Emergency Preparedness”.

http://professionalorganizer4u.blogspot.com/search?q=emergency+preparedness


Be safe - Be prepared.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Everyone should be prepared for an emergency. Whether it’s the loss of power and electricity (which could last for days) or a hurricane, earthquake or other natural disaster…. Or a terrorist attack…

We’ve had numerous “disasters” in the last few years….the World Trade Center attack (9/11/2001), Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004), Hurricane Katrina (2005), Haiti Earthquake (2010)…

Being prepared is not an “option” anymore. Even if just the electricity went out…and you happen to have an “all electric” home….would you be able to survive? Do you have enough food to last you for a few days? What happens if all the stores are closed?

These are just some things to think about…..

There are numerous websites and articles that tell you to be prepared to survive for at least three (3) days if an emergency occurs. The “72 Hour Kit” as some people call it.

Besides the basic kit, you also need to have an emergency plan in place. Below is a basic list that will give you some ideas to get you started (there are numerous variations of this kit).

Basic Kit:

Water – one (1) gallon per person , per day for at least three (3) days
Food – 3 days supply of non-perishable food. Some ideas are: soup mix, granola bars, trail mix, crackers,
peanut butter, beef jerky, fruit cups….
Plastic / paper – plates, cups, napkins…
Radio – battery powered
Flashlight – with extra batteries
First aid kit – basic kit
Whistle
Can opener
Garbage bags & plastic bags (various sizes)
Sleeping Bag
Blankets
Clothes – for three (3) days
Shoes
Coats & rain gear & cold weather gear
Personal hygiene products such as: shampoo, lotion, razors, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine
products, sunscreen…..
Wet wipes
Toilet Paper
Sewing Kit
Paper & pencils
Matches / lighter (in water proof container)
Cash
Basic tools (wrench, pliers, scissors….)
Maps
Water purification tablets (or Chlorine Bleach)
Hand Sanitizer
String / rope / cord
Cooking appliances (portable stove with fuel….)


Some things (like medications…) cannot pack ahead of time…so have a checklist prepared for those items.

Checklist for supplies that need to be packed last minute:

Prescription medication
Infant formula
Pet food
Family documents (passport, birth certificates, identification cards, bank info, insurance info….)
Watch
Games for kids


Start thinking about how you and your family would handle an emergency….and start planning for it today…before that emergency strikes.


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com/