I Want to Share My Family Checklist With You
While we are still a few months away from cozy nights in front of the fireplace, September always makes me think about home and family and protecting them both. And I’m not talking about estate planning here, though, of course, ensuring your plan is up-to-date is important. No, I’m talking about the fundamentals. Read on for a quick checklist all of us can use to ensure we’re doing everything we can toprotect the ones we love.
HEALTH
We are hearing it on the news. New strains of COVID-19 are circulating again, and new vaccines are being developed. Ensure your family is up-to-date on their COVID-19 shots and other vaccines, such as flu and RSV, depending on individual risk.
FINANCES
If you have tapped or have yet to create an emergency fund, consider doing something about that now to cover unexpected expenses. You won’t be sorry. It is also a good time to review your insurance coverage and beneficiaries to ensure everything is how it should be.
AT HOME
It’s our castle – right? Think about everything from your home’s security system to fire safety. When was the last time you checked your fire extinguisher’s expiration date? Do you have a working carbon monoxide detector? Time to replace smoke detector batteries? And, if you have young children, you must have a fire escape plan that you have practiced with them. Their lives could depend on it someday.
DISASTER PREP
While so much of the world is in turmoil, some of us may have become a bit “comfortable” that disasters happen to “others”, not us, whether from fire, flood, hurricane, or tornado. Of course, it can happen to anyone, and some essential planning will go a long way in such a situation. Some simple things can make a difference, such as:
- Prepare emergency kits with essentials like food, water, medications, and first aid supplies.
- Develop a family evacuation plan for natural disasters, including a meeting point and communication strategy.
- Plan how you will monitor weather and news alerts to stay informed.
DIGITAL SAFETY
I would be remiss if I didn’t include a few words about this. We hear about identity theft all the time, how folks are scammed out of their retirement savings, and the threats to our children online. Here are a few steps to protect your hard-earned assets and loved ones.
- Create and routinely change up strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and educate your family about phishing scams and online safety.
- Review and adjust privacy settings on social media accounts to protect personal information.
- Encourage your kids to be watchful and wary online and let you know immediately if something doesn’t seem “right.”
Last but not least, it goes without saying that I encourage you all to have updated estate plans stored in a secure way. (You know I had to say that 😊 )
It’s all about taking care … of ourselves, our loved ones, and our assets. I hope you all have a safe September.
Very best regards,
David