The Red Stapler Chronicles

About two years ago, I was awoken by screams and glass shattering.  There was a fire in my neighbors apartment.  Luckily, no one was harmed by the fire, but my apartment, along with 7 others, was a complete loss.  To help others, I would like to pass on what lessons I learned from my experience.

1.  Insurance is not something you should be frugal about.  About 4 months before my fire, I got the great idea to switch my car insurance to Geico.  Sure it was fun mimicking their infamous commercial by telling people who much I saved by switching.  Unfortunately, I had renters insurance with my previous carrier and decided to let it lapse since I was getting a package deal.  I had intended to get insurance from somewhere else, but just never did.  Dohh!!!!  DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!!!!  Always carry the proper amount of insurance for your house, car, apartment, or health.  Save money on something else, not insurance!!

2.  Keep your keys, wallet, and cell phone in the same place every night.  During my fire, although smoke had already entered my apartment, I instinctively grabbed my wallet and keys, and ran out of my apartment.  Those who did not have instincts were left with the added aggravation of not being able to drive their car and not having money to check into a hotel.

3.  Take pictures of your belongings.  This will help if you for insurance and tax purposes. 

4.  If you have important documents on your computer, attach them to an email to yourself.  This way you will have access to them whether or not your computer is melted.

5.  Keep a traveling bag in your car with a full set of clothes–unless you like to go shopping for new ones in your pajamas. 

6.  Buy an extra cell phone battery and car charger.  In any time of emergency/natural disaster an extra cell phone battery will be worth its weight in gold.

Although these two tips will not help you in a fire, I wanted to include them.

7.  Keep about 5 two-liter soda bottles filled with water in your house at all times.  This water can be used to flush your toilets during a disaster in which there is no water for an extended period. 

8.  Never let your gas tank go below 1/3.  Do you know how many cars got stranded during the Katrina evacuation?  Even a simple 10 minute trip can take hours during a disaster.