A little planning goes a long way when it comes to protecting your family's future. By taking a close look at your home, you can protect yourself from tragedy. Truth is, most fires are preventable.

Use the guidelines on these pages for your pre-planning. You'll discover how important it is to have a escape route and to practice fire drills frequently. You can even save your furry family members by posting a pet-saver sticker prominently.

Protect your investment by taking a complete home inventory -- including serial numbers, model numbers, and purchase prices. Take pictures of your valuables, and put pictures and papers in a safe, fireproof place, such as a safety deposit box or fire safe.

And if the unthinkable happens, use After the Fire to put the pieces back together. You can even use it now to make sure you've dotted the I's and crossed the T's of your home-owner or renter insurance policy.