On a frequent basis, we are contacted by people who are in the midst of cleaning out their parents’ home. The message we hear is the same: “We have boxes of documents that need to be destroyed. Can you help?”
The answer to the “Can you help?” question is yes, it’s easy. That’s our business.
The bigger issue? Eliminating the burden family members have of emptying offices, basements, garages and attics after their parents are gone or have moved to an assisted-living or other type of care facility. We know first-hand the challenge of handling a family member’s belongings. It’s time-consuming, emotional, stressful and can be physically difficult as well.
That’s why our recommendation is to comb through your closets, storage lockers and file cabinets now. Gather up what can and needs to be shredded. Do it long before your kids, grandkids, younger siblings or other family members are charged with handling all of your papers and belongings. Chances are they don’t want to keep your old birthday cards, marked-up calendars, magazines, theater programs or newspapers. Grandma’s stuffing recipe that you make every year at Thanksgiving? That’s a keeper. So are photographs of family and friends (be sure to label them) and certain old baseball cards. But along with old personal documents you probably have sensitive papers that should be destroyed. (If you are unsure of the types of documents that need to be shredded, here is a list in this blog post.)
A professional shredding company can provide you with a tote to fill up with papers. They will collect the tote when it’s full, and bring you a new one if needed. Professional-quality, heavy-duty totes are designed to withstand frigid temperatures; if you need to keep it in the garage in the winter it won’t fall apart or crack. The type of totes companies like ours give to customers feature a lock at the top, too, so you don’t have to worry about anyone “dumpster diving” and gaining access to documents like old legal papers or credit card receipts. You may not relish taking on this project, but when you’re finished, your family members will be thrilled to hear what you did to make things easier for them down the road.
Paper Tiger Document Solutions has been an NAID AAA Certified member since 2013. We handle residential and commercial shredding throughout the Chicago area and northeastern Wisconsin.
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