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September 13, 2023

National Preparedness Month: Make a Plan

Make a preparedness plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes. Know how you will contact each other and reconnect if separated. Take these steps found on ready.gov:

Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions found here with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household. Do you have young children or elderly people in your household? Do you have people with disabilities? Do you need to consider special medical equipment and prescriptions? Your needs will be unique to your family.

Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan.

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.

Johnson County Emergency Management is also helping to promote the month by sharing tips as part of their 30 Days, 30 Ways campaign on their Facebook page.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone 6 months and older obtain an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against more serious outcomes of COVID-19 this fall and winter. The CDC says updated COVID-19 vaccines should be available later this week. Find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.

Continue to follow information from the CDC and from Johnson County’s COVID-19 guide for the latest information on the updated vaccines as more information becomes available.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on this checklist. Print a copy to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

Enjoy trekking, biking and paddling in Kill Creek Park, Kill Creek Streamway Park and TimberRidge Adventure Center. Challenge yourself or a team with the 6-hour course or bring your family out and enjoy the 2-hour course.  

The race begins at 9 a.m. on September 16 at Kill Creek Park (11670 Homestead Lane, Olathe, KS). For details and pricing, Check out the event page for more details and pricing.

Mark your calendars and plan to join Johnson County Mental Health Center and Olathe Communities that Care (CTC) for a free screening of “Screenagers Under The Influence: Addressing Vaping, Drugs, and Alcohol in the Digital Age” on Wednesday, September 20, at 6 p.m.

This documentary talks about how the tech revolution has reshaped adolescence and its effects on substance use. The film debunks myths and depicts strategies parents and schools can use to encourage healthy decision-making, support teen mental health, set limits and create healthy home environments. Afterward, there will be a discussion and opportunity to learn more about resources offered in our community.

This screening is free for anyone over the age of 12. Content is unsuitable for children under 12, and childcare will not be provided. Light dinner and refreshments will be provided. Dinner is sponsored by Olathe CTC.

No tickets are required, but RSVP is preferred and can be completed online. For questions about the event, contact Prevention and Community Relations at JCMHCevents@jocogov.org or 913-715-7880.

Do you have a way to receive emergency alerts if a natural disaster or emergency happens in your area? Here are three ways to receive information when you need it the most:

1. Sign up for NotifyJoCo and get free alerts from local officials via phone, text or email.
2. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station for warnings about severe weather in your area.
3. Download the FEMA app to your smartphone for weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations in the United States.

Visit the Johnson County museum for free on Saturday, September 16 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Explore KidScape, our signature exhibition, Becoming Johnson County, and special exhibit, TRAINS: Transportation and the Transformation of Johnson County.

Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to protect your friends and family from getting sick. It is especially important at key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

• After using the bathroom
• Before and after preparing food or eating
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose

Washing hands is easy. Follow the 5 steps every time — wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry.

Visit the CDC’s COVID Data Tracker for COVID-19 metrics.

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