Fire resistant document bags

[smithcorp]

I just got passports for my kids and after the process of providing birth certificates etc, I realised we didn't have a plan for adequately protecting these documents in case of a fire. I did a bit of research and bought three of these:

https://www.family-first.com.au/product ... ument-bag/

with the intention of keeping passports and birth certificates, mortgage documents etc in close proximity to grab and go in case of a fire.

Some people also use them to keep fire-prone batteries for drones and the like separate.

just a thought.

[pixelboy]

That's a good idea.

Mine are in a drawer in a wooden cabinet.

[Cutter]

Mine in a fire proof safe.
For the record, fire resistant is not the same as fire proof, depending on the item, it can be weasel words.
Fire proof has to meet an Aust' or international standard, fire resistant is a manufactures claim.

[pixelboy]

Carl would know.. He sets things on fire for a living.

[smithcorp]

Hey Cutter, with the fireproof safe is the thinking that your contents survive the fire, or is it something you could also carry with you if you needed to (ie if you had time to grab things)? ie there's some that can be carried.

I saw a few affordable fire safes online, some with a keypad entry - surely that'd be rooted after a fire?

[norbs]

Smiss is going full...

[Cursed]

Doomsday Preppers would definitely define these bags as part of your bug-out kit. Don't ask how I know that that is a thing.

[w00dsy]

Would these documents still be able to be valid(not passports obviously) if they were scanned and backed up online? I'm talking about things like life insurance or wills etc.

[norbs]

My bug out bag has a USB stick (encrypted crypto keys), and a pair of undies. That is it

[macca]

A bug out bag eh, the things you learn about in here

[smithcorp]

*calls from panic room* bug-out bag?

[Cutter]

Mine is something like this.


Advantage is, its genuinely fire proof, you can grab it and run. Mine has duel locks, key and combination.
But its a bit over A4 size, and fairly deep.
Apart from passports, it has the stuff you need to re-apply for passports, extract of entry, birth certificates, insurance and super details as well as the title deeds for the house.
Also the business ABN / ACN / PI insurance docs and family trust deeds.
Also a USB with all log ins and the protected spreadsheet with all the various passwords.

[Cutter]

One thing I will say about the fire resistant pouches is, look at your passport, all the plastic, lots of plastic and very little paper.
While they are fire resistant, are they heat resistant?
It only takes a small exposure to heat to ruin you're moden high tech plastic passport.
Paper / timber c an cope with heat for a strangely long period of time without a source of ignition and come through.
Plastic not so much, particularly modern thermoplastics, like those in modern passports.

[Cutter]

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/off ... ssfhw40200

[smithcorp]

Thanks Cutter - I'd looked at that Officeworks one, but the first review suggested it was flimsy. Saw this one recommended by some firefighting blog (and norbs is right,once i started looking into this there's lots of prepper bullshit it leads to) as keeping things below 75c during a fire (apparently the temp to preserve data on usbs):

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0 ... F9PO&psc=1

Doesn't have a handle though which would be well useful. As with every damn thing its a rabbit hole.

[norbs]

I only knew about the prepper shit because I was doing the same as you, but trying to protect my trezor (USB stick thing for crypto) that is worth north of $40k right now. There is some mind bending stuff/people out there.

[pixelboy]

Can't you store crypto keys on multiple usbs?

[norbs]

Can't you store crypto keys on multiple usbs?

Yes, but this is a bit more than just a USB drive. It is a physical wallet. But you are right, I do have the 24 word key phrases encrypted and zipped up in other places.

[Cutter]

I'd sacrifice a bit of fire proofedness ?? for a one handed carry.
Also, dumb thing, let everyone in the house know where it is and that its important.
And make copies of the keys and leave them where the safe isnt.
Give a copy to family, or tape one on the spare wheel cover in the car, etc

[smithcorp]

I'd sacrifice a bit of fire proofedness ?? for a one handed carry.

Advice accepted!