How to protect your important documents: Is putting them in the dishwasher a good idea?

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·3 min read

As Idalia approaches and Floridians on the west coast, in central Florida and along the Panhandle pull everything in the house and start covering their windows, it's also time to protect your valuable documents from potential wind, rain and flooding damage.

Insurance information, deeds, Social Security cards, marriage licenses, passports, tax returns, family pictures and keepsakes, all extremely vulnerable to water. Some of it you may need immediately after the storm, and some personal items may be impossible to replace.

Here's what you need to do to protect these items. Quick tip: Don't put them in the dishwasher.

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Can I store important documents in the dishwasher during a hurricane?

Technically you can, and it's a persistent tip for hurricane prep, but don't do it. There's absolutely no guarantee your documents will stay dry and undamaged.

Dishwashers are designed to keep water in. They are not designed to withstand flooding, impact or severe damage.

"Appliances are not waterproof nor would we endorse such a tip," Kim Freedman, a representative for Haier-owned GE Appliances, told Insider.com.

How can I protect my documents during a hurricane?

If you have time to prepare, store your important paper documents in a safe deposit box, a waterproof and fireproof container in your home, or in another location away from your home.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends keeping electronic copies of all your important documents on a removable flash drive or an external hard drive, and putting that in your waterproof, fireproof container or somewhere away from the storm.

You should also consider keeping copies in a secure cloud-based service so you can access them anywhere.

"Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, Social Security number, or credit card number," FEMA warned.

Use your smartphone to take pictures of your documents and save them online.

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What documents should I protect in case of a hurricane?

Make sure to save copies of any documents you would need to identify yourself and your household members, including children and pets, and your relationships to status. You'll also want documentation when you contact your insurance providers or request aid from government disaster assistance programs. FEMA suggests the following, as applicable:

  • Vital records: Birth, marriage, divorce certificate, adoption, child custody papers

  • IDs: Passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, green card, military service identification, other

  • Pet info: Ownership papers, identification tags

  • Housing: Lease or rental agreement, mortgage, home equity line of credit, deed

  • Vehicle: Loan documents, VIN, registration, title

  • Other financial obligations: Utility bills, credit cards, student loans, alimony, child support, elder care, automatic payments such as gym memberships

  • Financial accounts: Checking, savings, debit cards, retirement, investment

  • Insurance policies: Homeowners, renters, auto, life, flood, appraisals, photos, and lists of valuable items

  • Sources of income: Pay stubs, government benefits, alimony, child support

  • Tax statements: Federal/state income tax returns, property tax, vehicle tax

  • Estate planning: Will, trust, power of attorney

  • Health: Health/dental insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, VA health benefits

  • Health documentation: List of medications, immunizations, allergies, prescriptions, medical equipment and devices, pharmacy information

  • Health decisions: Living will, medical power of attorney, caregiver agency contract or service agreement, disabilities documentation

  • Contact info: Family, employers/supervisors, doctors/specialists, schools, houses of worship, social service providers, Homeowners Associations, home repair services, dentists, pediatricians, veterinarians

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Idalia preparation: How to protect your papers. Not in the dishwasher.