Ice storms, tornadoes, and flooding – Kansas has them all and more. Do you really know how long food will stay safe in the refrigerator if your power is out? Or what foods and supplies you should have on hand in case of emergencies?
Starting September 1, Prepare Kansas 2016 will provide tips on keeping food safe in emergency situations. This year’s program will be conducted through social media on Facebook. No registration is required, so Kansans and anyone interested in planning ahead for emergencies can follow on Facebook at any time during September, pick up handy information and interact with K-State extension specialists and agents.
Throughout 2015, a total of 126 tornadoes occurred across the state, which made it the fourth highest year for tornados since 1950, according to the Kansas Department of Emergency Management.
“Kansas has its share of disasters, whether it’s a tornado, a house fire or a homeowner’s basement flooding. K-State Research and Extension is committed to working with people across the state to help them be prepared for anything that comes their way,” said Kansas State University associate professor Elizabeth Kiss. “We can’t always keep disasters from happening, but we know that being as prepared as possible– whether it’s putting a thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer, making an emergency kit or having copies of your important financial records in a separate, safe place– aids in the recovery from disasters.
Kiss, a K-State Research and Extension financial management specialist writes the Prepare Kansas blog, which provides tips and resources on a range of emergency preparedness topics, including this year’s focus on food safety during September.
“It is very important to keep food safety in mind before, during and after emergencies such as power outages and floods, to help prevent food loss and to reduce the likelihood of people getting sick from eating contaminated food.” said Londa Nwadike, consumer food safety specialist with K-State Research and Extension. “Some of the food safety practices that are important in emergency situations are good practices to help prevent people from getting sick at any time.”
More information on Prepare Kansas will be available in September on our Ellis County Facebook page at www.facebook.com/K-State Research and Extension- Ellis County and any time at https://blogs.k-state.edu/preparekansas/. Please follow the Prepare Kansas media campaign to be better prepared in September.
Linda K. Beech is Ellis County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.