If you’re in the spring cleaning mode at your Atlanta home and real estate, why not take an extra few minutes to document your belongings? In the event of a fire or other natural disaster, having a record of the things you own will help you get the insurance payment you’re due, and it will save you considerable hassle during a stressful time.

On the

Equifax Personal Finance Blog, insurance expert Linda Rey gives tips for updating your records while you’re in the spring cleaning zone. Cleaned out a closet? Take pictures or video documenting what it now contains. Dusting and rearranging the artwork? Same thing. Putting away the winter clothes? Document those, too.

In her article, “Clean Up Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy for Spring,” Rey recommends that you keep a copy of everything you document either on an off-site server or in a safety deposit box. That way, if the unthinkable happens and your home is destroyed, you can still access the files.

In addition to taking photos and videos of rooms, closets and cabinets in your home, Rey recommends that you hang onto receipts for your large purchases and home renovation costs. Whether you scan them to create electronic files or simply keep the hard copies, you’ll want to have a copy of those off-site, too.

What other household items should be documented? Visit the

Equifax Personal Finance Blog for Rey’s complete list. And if you have kids who are bored during Spring Break, hide a few surprises in your house, then hand the list to them. They would probably love to go on a “prize hunt” while they’re videotaping or photographing your belongings for the family!