Make a list of personal property Officials from both law enforcement and emergency management have been warning people that it’s important to keep a list of your personal property. If there’s a disaster or theft, this helps in recovery of what is lost or damaged or stolen. Some disaster survivors have gotten together to offer these tips about how to make such a list. Before the fact (before stuff is lost or stolen): Go through each room and list the items that are important to you. Look inside pieces with drawers. List what’s there. Check the garage too for tools or used sports equipment. Take overall pictures of each room, and close-ups of individual items or groupings. After the fact (after stuff is lost or stolen--longer list): List one room at a time. Try to picture, try to remember what was there. Physically or mentally walk through your house. What do you see in your mind’s eye? Paintings? Dishes? Books? Furniture? You’ll begin to see more than you thought at first. Make a map of major pieces in a room. Then make a separate list for each piece. What is on it? What is next to it? What is inside it? Think of your activities and hobbies. What items are involved there. For example, if you play softball, what do you have? Bat? Ball? Glove? Hat? Uniform? Special shoes? Carry a note pad or PDA or recorder. Make notes of items you remember as they come to you. No, not later. Now. Thank you. For computer users, keep track on a spreadsheet if you like. Ask everyone you know who has taken pictures at your home or apartment. Use them to trigger memories and add to your lists. For odd, unusual, or unique items, provide documentation whenever possible in the form of pictures etc. You reviewer needs to understand what these items are to help determine their value. Doesn’t hurt, when you buy special items, to keep the bill of sale with a copy in a safe deposit box. And be sure to hire an independent appraiser to help you with realistic valuation of your property. Contact Burt via email