Recovery & Resources / AN ORANGE COUNTY GUIDE TO COPING WITH FIRE : First Line of Defense: Make a List

Whether you’ve lost some or all of your possessions or are now finally motivated to actually prepare for disaster, the first thing to do is gather a notebook and pen and start making lists of your belongings.

For help, you can refer to a book titled “The Household Inventory Guide--Ideas and Lists for Stocking, Restocking and Taking Stock of Your Home,” a 107-page paperback that includes detailed lists of thousands of typical yet oft-forgotten items that people have in their houses.

The book is organized into chapters that cover each room of the home in addition to pet supplies, medical and insurance records, recreation, cars, travel, books, hobbies and collections.

Written and self-published by Walnut Creek career counselor Carol Phillips after she saw friends lose everything in the 1991 Oakland fire, the book’s stated purpose is to help people recover from disasters faster and with less stress.

“I wrote it,” Phillips says, “because I saw what fire survivors faced in trying to piece together their whole lives from memory. They not only needed lists to know what to replace, they were also required to make copious inventories for their insurance companies and the IRS--an overwhelming task.”

The first step for those who have already lost their homes, says Phillips, is to make topical “short lists,” or lists of immediate short-term needs. Those lists will later be fleshed out for restocking and reporting purposes.

On the short lists, note needed medications, clothing, personal hygiene items and first-aid supplies.

“Think in terms of what you’d pack in a suitcase to go on a trip,” says Phillips. “We’re not talking about replacing everything all at once, but simply what you need right now.”

Often overlooked items are alarm clocks, watches, clothes hangers, radios and reading material.

“It’s the funny little things that we use every day that we forget, like scissors, envelopes, stamps and flashlights,” Phillips says.

For children, in addition to clothing, think of school supplies such as lunch boxes and backpacks. And don’t forget playthings.

“If your child has suffered a loss of home, he or she needs things in this category right away,” Phillips stresses. “Stuffed animals, books and art supplies can be comforting to children and may help open up avenues to express feelings. And a few toys or games can help keep children occupied while you figure out what to do next.”

Finally, give yourself permission to grieve your loss of material possessions.

“For even those brave souls who say possessions don’t mean anything, starting over again under any circumstances is overwhelming,” says Phillips. “Our homes and what we keep in them are part of our identity. When we lose our things, we lose our balance. Don’t feel guilty about your feelings.”

Phillips adds: “If you haven’t lost anything yet, now is the time to plan.”

The “Household Inventory Guide” is available for $9.95 from local bookstores or by mail for $12.27 from IPP Press, P.O. Box 8335, Emeryville, Calif. 94662-0335. For more information, call (510) 932-7554.