CHENANGO COUNTY – The Red Cross is known for two things – blood drives and disaster services – but in an effort to help residents help themselves, the Red Cross is offering several programs to help people become educated and prepared for the incidents that may lie ahead.

Currently, the Red Cross is offering two programs, a Halloween Safety program, aimed at elementary aged children, and a Red Cross Ready Program, aimed at helping adults to become prepared in the event of a disaster.

The Halloween Safety Program is a 15 to 30 minute program that can be scheduled for youth organizations or school functions.

The Red Cross Ready program helps people to identify the items needed to prepare a disaster kit, establish a disaster plan, and informs them of what may happen during a disaster and how they can help. “This is a big part of what we’re doing now,” said Chenango County Red Cross Supervisor Michael May. A six week shopping list for disaster kit items is available online.