Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: For safekeeping in the event of a fire, my sister and I are storing each other’s negatives of family photos. Safe-deposit boxes would work equally well but may not be as convenient for some families. In this way, we can replace most of our sentimental photos by simply printing another copy should something happen to the original.

Also, for insurance purposes, it is wise to have a video made showing the entire household contents (including closet contents) and store the video outside the home. When faced with a major loss, it is impossible to remember how many books or pairs of shoes one owned. - Stephanie Hatchett, Nashville, Tenn.