Reno County Community Wellness Coalition

10/28/2026

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween, Reno County!

Halloween is full of costumes, candy, and fun, but it’s also a time to take extra precautions to keep our families safe. As you prepare for trick-or-treating and fall festivities, keep these important safety tips in mind.

Costume Safety

Choose flame-resistant costumes that fit properly to prevent trips and falls.

Use face paint instead of masks that can block a child’s vision.

Add reflective tape or stickers to costumes and treat bags, and carry flashlights or glow sticks to help children stay visible.

Walk Safely

Children under age 12 should cross streets only with an adult or responsible teenager.

Stay on sidewalks and use crosswalks whenever possible.

Look both ways, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and put away phones and other distractions.

Drive Safely

Slow down and stay alert in residential neighborhoods.

Watch carefully at intersections, driveways, and alleys.

Be especially cautious during peak trick-or-treating hours, typically 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Decorate Safely

Keep decorations away from candles, heaters, and other heat sources.

Choose battery-operated candles for jack-o’-lanterns and other decorations.

Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly.

Candy and Poison Prevention

Inspect treats before children eat them, and only allow treats in original, unopened wrappers.

Keep medications locked away and out of children's reach.

Save the Poison Help number in your phone: 1-800-222-1222.

Halloween safety is a shared responsibility. By taking a few simple precautions, we can help make sure everyone in Reno County enjoys a fun, memorable, and safe holiday.

For more Halloween safety tips, visit https://www.safekids.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, Reno County!

10/26/2026

Enter the 2026 National Red Ribbon Photo Contest!

Would you like to have a chance of winning a new iPad and $1000 cash for the K-12 Reno County school of your choice?

Well, if you're a family, or affiliated with a local school you can do just that!

Families and schools can decorate their home or school with the theme of MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BE A HERO. STAY DRUG FREE. Do that and then submit a picture of your creative work to https://www.redribbon.org/

Red Ribbon Week happens annually from October 23rd until October 31st to promote a healthy and drug free lifestyle. Join us in celebrating Red Ribbon Week!!

10/23/2026

On Saturday, October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Hutchinson Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will host DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day at locations across the country. DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs.

For sixteen years, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans safely dispose of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or expired—to prevent drug misuse and abuse.

Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at nearly 4,200 drop-off locations nationwide.

What: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
When: Saturday, October 24th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Who: Hutchinson Police Department
Where: Dillon’s Marketplace, 3200 Plaza Way

In partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 20.4 million pounds (10,200 tons) of medication from circulation since its inception.

Collection sites will not accept syringes, sharps, and illicit drugs. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original container. The cap must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit www.DEATakeBack.com.

10/22/2026

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Here in Reno County, Kansas, we stand together in support of everyone impacted by breast cancer survivors, those currently fighting, caregivers, families, and those we carry in our hearts.

Breast cancer awareness is about more than wearing pink. It’s about encouraging early detection, scheduling recommended screenings, knowing your family history, and reminding the people we love to take care of themselves.

This October, let's make a difference together:

Encourage loved ones to stay up to date on recommended screenings.

Support local survivors and families affected by breast cancer.

Wear pink to show your support.

Share this message to help spread awareness throughout our community.

No one should have to face breast cancer alone. Let’s continue to lift one another up, share hope, and remind our Reno County neighbors that they are surrounded by a community that cares.

Together, we stand stronger. Together, we spread hope. Together, we fight breast cancer.

10/19/2026

Last week Health Educators Seth Farley and Thomas Simmons of the Reno County Health Department had the pleasure of joining Rise Up Reno Prevention Network staff at the 2026 Kansas Prevention Collaborative Conference. The theme of this year's conference was MOVING PREVENTION FORWARD.

At the conference subjects ranged from coalition building, substance abuse first aid, sustainability, recent legislation, relationships and a whole lot of data analysis.

Conferences are a great way to learn new tools that can be brought home to our community.

10/19/2026

10/01/2026

Let's talk for a moment about how some folks are finding alternative ways to enjoy smokeless to***co.

Between early 2023 and mid 2025 the sales of ni****ne pouches have exploded by 250%. This is great news for pulmonologists across the county. Ni****ne pouches don't involve inhaling anything into the lungs, which is a great thing. But that's not where the story ends.

Ni****ne, regardless of any form of consumption, is highly addictive. And it always comes with severe health consequences. Ni****ne narrows blood vessels. This can raise heart rate and cause heart disease - the leading cause of death in the USA.

These pouches are especially dangerous for youth. Many pouches are flavored with mint or fruit. Making them especially attractive for youngsters. Starting pouches at an early age can lead to lifelong addiction to ni****ne. And can lead to cigarette use.

Next time you reach for that pouch think about what can result in the long term.

09/29/2026

Pregnancy can be an amazing and exciting time for families across Reno County. It’s also a time when taking extra care with food safety can make an important difference for both mother and baby.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through significant changes—including changes to the immune system that can make her more susceptible to certain foodborne illnesses. For an unborn baby, whose immune system is still developing, the consequences can be especially serious.

Listeriosis, a foodborne illness caused by Listeria, can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, serious illness, or even death in newborns.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, can also have serious consequences for an unborn baby, including vision problems, hearing loss, and developmental complications.

The good news? A few simple food-safety habits can help reduce these risks.

Cook meat, poultry, and seafood thoroughly. Raw or undercooked animal products can carry harmful bacteria and parasites. Use safe cooking temperatures and avoid consuming meat or seafood that is raw or undercooked.

Choose pasteurized dairy products. Avoid raw milk and products made with unpasteurized milk, which can carry harmful bacteria such as Listeria, E. coli, and Salmonella.

Cook eggs completely. Eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and white are firm to reduce the risk of Salmonella.

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Rinse fresh produce under running water before eating, cutting, or preparing it.

Practice good kitchen hygiene. Wash your hands, utensils, cutting boards, and countertops regularly, and keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods.

Pregnancy is a beautiful and important time. With a little extra attention to food safety, we can help protect mothers, babies, and families throughout Reno County.

Safe food starts with simple steps—and those steps can make a difference.

09/22/2026

🎒 Back-to-school season is here—and it’s a good time for families to talk about to***co and ni****ne.

We already know that young people who use to***co or ni****ne can become addicted. A developing brain is especially vulnerable to ni****ne addiction.

But there’s more to the story.

Ni****ne doesn’t just affect the brain. It can affect a young person’s developing body, too. Youth who use ni****ne may experience:

🚭 Addiction
💨 Coughing and wheezing
🏃 Reduced athletic ability
📚 Difficulty focusing, learning and paying attention

There are long term affects as well. People who begin using ni****ne at a younger age face greater risks of serious health problems later in life, including certain cancers and heart disease.

Adults aren’t immune, either. To***co use is linked to serious health conditions including COPD, heart attack, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

💬 What can families do?

Start the conversation. Ask young people what they know about va**ng and ni****ne. Listen without judgment. And if someone is already using ni****ne, remember: quitting can be difficult, but help is available.

For Kansas teens ages 13–17, My Life, My Quit is a free and confidential program designed specifically to help teens quit to***co and ni****ne—including va**ng. Teens can talk with a trained coach, develop a quit plan and get support along the way.

📱 Text “Start My Quit” to 855-891-9989 or call 855-891-9989.

And for adults who are ready to quit, the Great American Smokeout is a great opportunity to make a plan. Held on the third Thursday of November, the annual event encourages people who smoke to take the first step toward a smoke-free life.

Whether you're a student, parent, caregiver, teacher or community member, it's never too early - or too late - to talk about ni****ne and the importance of living to***co-free.

Know the risks. Start the conversation. And if you're ready to quit, know that help is available.

09/15/2026

💧 BACK TO SCHOOL = TIME TO HYDRATE! 💧

It’s still back-to-school season here in Reno County! With students back in the classroom, let’s make sure they’re getting enough water to stay hydrated, focused and feeling their best. 🎒📚

Here are some easy hydration tips for students:

💦 Start the day with water.
Have a glass or two before heading out the door. Starting hydrated can help set you up for a better day.

🚰 Bring a reusable water bottle.
Keep water within reach throughout the school day and sip regularly.

🍊 Not a fan of plain water? Mix it up!
Try adding fresh, unsweetened citrus juice, choosing unsweetened sparkling water, or enjoying a sugar-free drink option.

🍉 Eat your hydration, too!
Fresh fruits and veggies can help contribute to your daily fluid intake. Watermelon, oranges, strawberries, cucumbers and grapes are all great choices!

🥤 Go easy on sugary drinks.
Soda can be high in sugar and caffeine and isn’t the best choice when you’re trying to stay hydrated.

⚡ Skip the energy drinks.
Energy drinks aren’t a good hydration choice for students and can contribute to feelings like anxiety, nervousness and jitters.

🧠 Why does hydration matter?
Staying properly hydrated can support better concentration, clearer thinking and fewer headaches.

💧 Water is brain fuel! Help your student make hydration part of their back-to-school routine.**