Are You Ready for an Emergency?
Nora Rhoades, Family and Youth Development Agent
Kansas is home to a wide variety of weather, and it is sometimes hard to know what to expect. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and floods are common threats along with extreme heat, cold, and wind. Other emergencies your family may confront could relate to vehicle trouble, medical concerns, fires, and accidents. An emergency or disaster can strike at any moment and will likely affect every family at some point. The best way to work through difficult situations and circumstances is to be prepared before a concern presents itself.
Emergency Plan Considerations:
✔ What emergencies could affect my family where we live, work, learn, and play?
✔ What special needs (infant, elderly, medical, disability) does my family have?
✔ What are each individual’s responsibilities? How will we work together as a team?
✔ How will we be alerted and warned (tv, wireless alerts, radio) about potential hazards?
✔ Identify a place to meet if separated and the route to get there. How will you shelter-in-place?
✔ Where can you shelter away from home?
✔ Identify local and out-of-area ‘In Case of Emergency’ contacts. It is a good idea to clearly identify
these contacts in your phone and in a wallet or purse.
Practice your emergency plan at least 2 times each year!
Basic Emergency Kit Suggestions:
✔ Water — 1 gallon per person per day
✔ Food — non-perishable items
✔ Manual can opener
✔ Radio — battery-powered or hand-cranked
✔ Flashlight
✔ Extra batteries
✔ Sanitation and personal hygiene items
✔ First aid kit
✔ Medications — 7 day supply
✔ Blanket
✔ Whistle
✔ Dust mask
✔ Duct tape
✔ Plastic sheeting
✔ Moist towelettes
✔ Garbage bags and plastic ties
✔ Area maps
✔ Cell phone and chargers
✔ Extra cash
✔ Multi-purpose tools — pliers, scissors
✔ Copies of personal documents
✔ Family and emergency contact information
✔ Pet supplies
✔ Activities for children
✔ Extra clothing and sturdy shoes
✔ Matches
✔ Jumper cables
Strive to include enough supplies to last a minimum of 3 days!
For More Information Visit:
✔ KSRE’s Prepare Kansas Blog
✔ Post Rock Extension District Website
✔ Post Rock Extension District Office (Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne, Smith Center)
✔ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
✔ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
✔ American Red Cross
✔ National Weather Service
Kansas is home to a wide variety of weather, and it is sometimes hard to know what to expect. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and floods are common threats along with extreme heat, cold, and wind. Other emergencies your family may confront could relate to vehicle trouble, medical concerns, fires, and accidents. An emergency or disaster can strike at any moment and will likely affect every family at some point. The best way to work through difficult situations and circumstances is to be prepared before a concern presents itself.
Emergency Plan Considerations:
✔ What emergencies could affect my family where we live, work, learn, and play?
✔ What special needs (infant, elderly, medical, disability) does my family have?
✔ What are each individual’s responsibilities? How will we work together as a team?
✔ How will we be alerted and warned (tv, wireless alerts, radio) about potential hazards?
✔ Identify a place to meet if separated and the route to get there. How will you shelter-in-place?
✔ Where can you shelter away from home?
✔ Identify local and out-of-area ‘In Case of Emergency’ contacts. It is a good idea to clearly identify
these contacts in your phone and in a wallet or purse.
Practice your emergency plan at least 2 times each year!
Basic Emergency Kit Suggestions:
✔ Water — 1 gallon per person per day
✔ Food — non-perishable items
✔ Manual can opener
✔ Radio — battery-powered or hand-cranked
✔ Flashlight
✔ Extra batteries
✔ Sanitation and personal hygiene items
✔ First aid kit
✔ Medications — 7 day supply
✔ Blanket
✔ Whistle
✔ Dust mask
✔ Duct tape
✔ Plastic sheeting
✔ Moist towelettes
✔ Garbage bags and plastic ties
✔ Area maps
✔ Cell phone and chargers
✔ Extra cash
✔ Multi-purpose tools — pliers, scissors
✔ Copies of personal documents
✔ Family and emergency contact information
✔ Pet supplies
✔ Activities for children
✔ Extra clothing and sturdy shoes
✔ Matches
✔ Jumper cables
Strive to include enough supplies to last a minimum of 3 days!
For More Information Visit:
✔ KSRE’s Prepare Kansas Blog
✔ Post Rock Extension District Website
✔ Post Rock Extension District Office (Beloit, Lincoln, Mankato, Osborne, Smith Center)
✔ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
✔ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
✔ American Red Cross
✔ National Weather Service
