How Prepared Are You For An Emergency?
The recent devastation from the California wildfires has left me both riveted and heartbroken. Watching the interviews of those who have lost their homes, one common thread stands out: people are incredibly relieved that they and their loved ones are safe, but they also feel immense sadness over the loss of irreplaceable memories. Many spoke about losing precious items like photo albums and mementos. Some even scrambled to record last-minute videos of their homes for insurance purposes before they had to flee.
While we may never face wildfires here in the Northeast, we are not immune to other emergencies. Over the past 17 years of helping others get organized, I’ve noticed a common trend: we often procrastinate on being prepared for emergencies. One of the most important steps is preserving our most cherished memories. Here are three crucial tasks that I recommend for all my clients:
- Assemble a Go Bag
Though the chance of needing to evacuate quickly is slim, having a go bag ready will provide peace of mind. Think of it as a small but vital step toward being emergency ready. For a comprehensive packing list, visit: NYC Emergency Preparedness - Create a Home Inventory
Take time to document your home’s contents. I recommend downloading a free app like HomeZada, which makes it easy to upload photos of your belongings. Last year, I used HomeZada myself, and I was amazed at how simple it was to create a detailed inventory. At the very least, consider recording a video of every room. A detailed inventory is invaluable if you ever need to file an insurance claim. - Digitize Your Photos and Videos
Make 2025 the year you organize and digitize your print photos. If the task seems overwhelming, break it down. Set aside small amounts of time each week to sort your photos, discard duplicates or blurry images, and then scan the ones you want to keep. I recommend using Forever, a platform for securely storing your photos online. This service also allows you to preserve your stories for future generations.
Imagine the sense of relief and confidence you’d feel by completing these tasks by the end of the year!
If any of these steps feel daunting, don’t worry—we’re here to help. Whether it’s creating a home inventory or organizing your photos, we have the experience to make it easier for you. Give us a call—we’d love to assist you in getting prepared for any unexpected event.
Here to help with your organizing needs,
Janet
The Organizing Professionals
For more information or to book your session contact us at info@TheOrganizingProfessionals.com or call 610-230-0633. Gift certificates also available!