During National Preparedness Month, the American Red Cross of Kansas and Oklahoma wants to help as many people as possible get ready for emergencies.

The region is offering free, virtual preparedness workshops every Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. throughout September. People can join via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

“You can help support your community by building resiliency to disasters within your own home by being Red Cross Ready. The more resilient your household is to disasters, the less impact they make on your family,” said Linda Medford, Kansas-Oklahoma Regional Preparedness Manager.

The sessions will offer more information on the three simple steps people can help to keep their families safe during disasters — 1) Get a Kit. 2) Make a Plan. 3) Be Informed.

1. Build your emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight and a battery-powered radio. Also include a first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool and personal hygiene items. And don’t forget to add copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

2. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Make sure to coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans.

3. Stay informed by finding out what emergency situations may occur where you live, work and go to school, how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.

Meetings are available through Microsoft Teams or Zoom: Join by Microsoft Teams Meeting Meeting ID: 282 903 495 955 Passcode: DCe62C Or call in (audio only): +1 231-282-9932 — 338899763# Join by Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 861 4000 4841 Passcode: 796415 One tap mobile: +17193594580,,86140004841#,,,,*796415# Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom. us/u/kdKAWkv2ks The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year, and they can happen anywhere, anytime. While most of the disasters the Red Cross responds to are home fires, just last year, more than 40% of Americans — some 130 million people — were living in a county struck by a climate-related disaster, according to analysis from the Washington Post.

Since 2019, we’ve seen a six-fold increase in the annual number of disasters causing $1 billion or more in damage, compared to 40 years ago. This relentless pace of severe disasters has created more ongoing emergency needs — including for families who have been displaced year after year by extreme weather. The importance of being prepared for a disaster can’t be understated.

About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @ RedCross.

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