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We live in an age when information transfer and data storage is increasingly digital, with optical disks and magnetic hard drives replacing document warehouses and libraries. Still, the average American has dozens of paper documents that are essential to preserve, from birth certificates and passports to financial papers and precious family photos. To make sure these papers are not damaged by water, fire, or mishandling, it's important to properly store and protect them.

Tanya Whitford is the founder of Organizing Wonders, a Los Angeles company offering confidential, one-on-one services to help people organize and declutter their homes, offices and lives. She is the past President on the Board of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and is involved in the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization. Here she offers some sound advice for storing important papers and documents:

• Use archival boxes.
  When you're storing photos and important documents, says Whitford, you shouldn't use old cardboard shipping boxes or shoeboxes. It's far better to use acid-free archival safe boxes, as these are made from materials and glues that will not harm your photos.
  
• Store books flat.
  Do not store books in cardboard boxes. Books should be stored in airtight containers that will protect them from bugs and moisture. For best results, lay books flat and alternate the bindings.
  
• Find a good fire safe.
  Very important or irreplaceable documents should be stored in a safe deposit box at the bank. If this in not an option, or if the documents are important but do not warrant this treatment, the next best thing is a fireproof safety box that is capable of protecting the papers in the event of a house fire.
  
• Store copies in a separate location.
  It's also a good idea to make photocopies of all your important documents and store them somewhere other than your home. Consider giving the copies to a family member so you will have access to them if something should happen to the originals.

For more organization and storage ideas, check out the following websites:

National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
www.napo.net

Organized Home.com
organizedhome.com