Saving for disaster costs

As part of National Preparedness Month, the Postal Service is encouraging employees to prepare financially for emergencies.

Securing funds — as well as financial, insurance and medical documents — will give you peace of mind and help you be ready if disaster strikes.

To prepare, follow these tips:

• Complete a financial first-aid kit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s site has instructions.

• Consider depositing money in an emergency savings account.

• Secure a small amount of cash at home in case ATMs aren’t available.

• Gather critical financial, personal, household and medical information.

• Snap images of important documents and personal belongings to help quickly file insurance claims.

Remember: The key to recovery is speed. The key to speed is preparedness.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov site has additional information.