Released May 5, 2008

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Weather forecasting and warning systems have improved significantly since a tornado roared through Udall, Kan., May 25, 1955, killing 80, including many who were unaware that a deadly storm approached, said Kansas State University professor Mike Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, who is retiring this year after more than 30 years as the K-State Research and Extension health and safety specialist, urges preparation prior to storm season.

“Safety steps need not be time-consuming or expensive,” said Bradshaw, who suggests covering the basics:

• Look around your home or apartment and decide where you can – or should – go in case of a severe storm, fire, flood, power outage or other emergency.

• Discuss – and decide – where to meet, if storm sirens should sound. Include in the discussion what to do if children are on their way home from school or at a friend’s house or if parents are on the way home from work. While such family discussions are important, singles and others who live alone also should work out a system with friends and neighbors to account for each other, if a storm should strike.

• Invest in a battery-operated radio and flashlight, and an extra set of batteries.

• Put together a three-day emergency kit with enough supplies for each person in your household: allow 1 gallon of water per person per day; nonperishable food such as canned, cooked meats or fish, canned vegetables, canned or dried fruits, nonfat dried milk, and canned or bottled fruit and vegetable juices, crackers and cereal bars. Rotate emergency supplies to prevent foods from becoming outdated, and remember to include a manual can opener, utensils, tableware, paper plates, napkins, towels and toilet paper.

• First-aid kit.

• Prescription medications for 72 hours.

• Extra set of eye glasses, perhaps the pair most recently replaced.

• Blankets, sleeping bags and a tent (if the family happens to have one).

• Change of clothes for each person, including shoes or boots, socks, coat, jacket or rain poncho.

• Coffee can or other re-sealable metal container with candles and matches.

• Deck of cards and board games, and a few children’s toys. Such items as coloring books can reduce stress and anxiety.

• A cell phone, if available, address book and phone book.

• List of emergency contacts, cash, copies of insurance policies, household inventory and immunization records.

Taking pictures of each room in your home can be helpful in identifying how the home looked before a disaster. Store photos in a safe place, with other essential documents.

Stashing a camera – or making sure that you take it with you during an emergency – also can be helpful in documenting emergencies, Bradshaw said.

More information on personal safety and preparing for and recovering from disasters is available at local and district K-State Research and Extension offices; on its Extension Web site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu; on the Extension Disaster Education Network site: http://eden.lsu.edu/; and U.S. Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov/.

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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/sty/2008/Kansas_storm050508.htm

Contacts: Nancy Peterson, nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu

Darin Headrick,620-723-2145 or dheadrick@usd422.org

Cassie Kirby, 620-723-2145 or ckirby@usd422.org

Carmen Stauth, 620-723-2156 or cstauth@oznet.ksu.edu

Pam Muntz,620-723-2156 or pmuntz@ksu.edu

Mike Bradshaw, 785-532-5773 or mhb@ksu.edu