Everybody has important documents to keep safe including birth certificates and bank details. It’s possible to store important documents safely in the event of an situation of emergency or disaster by using some planning, organization, digitizing, and storage tools.
The most traditional place to keep important documents is a bank safe deposit box. It’s affordable and provides excellent security. You need to visit the bank during working hours to obtain your documents.
A quality fireproof and water-resistant document safe is a second option. The Honeywell 1104 is a great choice, but it’s the size of a mini refrigerator and costs more than $125. It can hold hanging file folders and can keep them in place for up to an hour in temperatures as high as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, and it also protects from water intrusion for hours.
Whatever container you use to store your paper documents for long-term storage, it’s best to keep them flat and not fold them or roll them up. This will stop the documents from becoming damaged or discoloring over time. It is also important to avoid using rubber bands to keep the pages in place because they can break, cause scratches from rust and damage the integrity of the document.
If you want to be extra cautious about their paper document storage can buy archival boxes and sleeves that are made from materials that don’t degrade over time, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These items can be found in hardware or office supply stores. The PVC material will also help protect the documents from moisture, which could cause damage to them.