Helpful resources
Here’s a handy list of resources that you may not know about.
Free blood pressure checks
What: Free blood pressure checks
When: Anytime at Wichita Fire Department stations and Sedgwick County Fire District 1 stations
More information: To find a list of stations, go online to www.sedgwickcounty.org/fire/ or www.wichita.gov.
Free home monitoring
What: Free monitoring of your home while you are on vacation by the Wichita Police Department
More information: Fill out a form at http://wichita.gov/Government/Departments/WPD/Pages/Vacation.aspx
Lost your pet?
What: Wichita Animal Control picks up stray animals and holds animals brought in as strays.
Where: 3303 N. Hillside, next to the Kansas Humane Society
When: Open 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
More information: 316-350-3360
Household hazardous waste disposal
What: Sedgwick County residents can safely get rid of items such as paint, batteries, used oil, household cleaners, computers, gasoline, antifreeze, pesticides, herbicides and other chemical products at the county’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility. There’s also a “swap and shop” section where you can find free paint and other materials for your home.
Where: 801 Stilwell, Wichita, south of Kellogg off Seneca
When: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
More information: 316-660-7458
Gardening help
What: Sedgwick County Extension Service’s trained master gardener volunteers help home gardeners with information on planting and care of lawns and gardens. They also put on several plant-related events throughout the year, including Herb Day, Tomato Day, Tree Fest, garden tours and a basic gardening series. The master gardener program runs from March to October.
Where: Sedgwick County Extension Service, 7001 W. 21st St.
More information: 316-660-0100
Rural address marking program
What: Sedgwick County Fire District 1 offers free rural address signs as part of a program to help fire, EMS and law enforcement find your house in an emergency. You must have an existing post for the sign.
Where: You must live in an unincorporated area of the county. If you do, the fire district will supply and install a free address sign for you.
More information: Enter your address and style of sign online at www.sedgwickcounty.org/fire/ramp.asp.
Wichita neighborhood information, assistance
What: Information about your neighborhood, including construction projects, public safety and environmental court cases. You can sign up for a bi-weekly electronic newsletter by contacting your neighborhood liaison (see information below).
Where: Information is by district. If you don’t know what district you’re in, go to www.wichita.gov to look at a map or call the Office of Community Engagement at 316-352-4879.
More information: Contact the assistants below.
District 1 (central and northeast Wichita) and District 2 (east): Alana Haynes, Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St., 316-303-8016, ahaynes@wichita.gov
District 3 (southeast) and District 4 (south and southwest): Case Bell, Colvin Neighborhood Resource Center, 2820 S. Roosevelt, 316-303-8029, cbell@wichita.gov.
District 5 (northwest) and District 6 (north): Martha Sanchez, Evergreen Neighborhood City Hall, 2700 N. Woodland, 316-303-8042, msanchez@wichita.gov.
Help understanding Medicare
What: Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas is an educational program that helps people with Medicare understand the system and their choices, including for supplemental insurance. One-on-one counseling is available as well as group counseling.
Where: Sedgwick County Extension Service, 7001 W. 21st St., or Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, 2622 W. Central, Suite 500
More information: Call the Extension Service at 316-660-0100 or the Agency on Aging at 316-660-5132. At the Extension Service, ask for coordinator Teresa Hatfield. At the Agency on Aging, ask for Celia Easley.
This story was originally published February 14, 2015 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Helpful resources."