Today is Day #5 of our Covid 19 Tips. For previous tips, see our blog, Facebook page, Twitter, and Google Business Page. We will update and add to these tips regularly.
The whole point of preparedness is to be ready for an unusual situation. The current coronavirus situation certainly applies. But, just in case you are tempted to say “this will all be over soon, so I don’t need to prepare”, I’d like you to remember the “old days” before Covid 19 occupied every newscast, article, and conversation. People still get sick, need surgeries, get into accidents, get stuck in airports, and weather events still occur. So, the time you spend preparing now may be needed in the future at some point, whether to deal with Covid 19 or some other unexpected event.
So, today’s tip is; make a list of your passwords. I’m primarily talking about online passwords to pay bills, bank, and access emails and social media. But I’m also talking about the basics. The code to unlock your phone, the code to your home alarm system, the entry code to your storage unit, the key to your home wifi. In short, anything that your trusted person would need to know to enter your home, take care of your pet, pay your bills, and keep your life running while you deal with something major.
In the past tips, we have already covered choosing a special person that you trust to take care of things for you. Also, remember to choose an alternate, and I recommend having at least one person who does not live in the same house with you.
Now you need a way to safely store and transmit those passwords. The best way, if you are tech savvy enough, is to subscribe to a good online password system and then share the information with your trusted people. You can give them their own logins. But that can require a lot of typing to enter all the information. Well, if you are home right now and feeling fine, you have time to do that. But, if you are not able to do so, find a system that works for you. Even if it is just a list written out and kept in a safe place in your home, and then share that location with your trusted people.
Don’t send your important password list over unsecured networks, email or text. Don’t leave it in a spot that is likely to be the target of a burglar (bedroom nightstand or dresser, jewelry box). If you have a secure home safe you can put it in there, and make sure your trusted people know the location of the safe and the combination.
And, most importantly, remember to update it regularly. If you use an online password organizer, that is easy. If you go with a paper list, you’ll have to remember to update it every time you change a password. You can also remind yourself to look at it once a month or so.
If you are comfortable doing so, set your online password subscription for “auto renew” to make sure that no unforseen problems happen when it is time to renew. You wouldn’t want to lose all of your hard work.
This preparedness is very important for small business owners.
We will continue to provide practical tips and legal information during this crisis.
Fees for our initial legal consult are waived through April 10th, 2020 for a thirty minute telephone or video consult.
