TOPEKA, Kan. (UPI) -- The Kansas of Division of Emergency Management said October will be "Zombie Preparedness Month" to help residents prepare for the undead and other disasters.

The department said Gov. Sam Brownback will sign a proclamation Sept. 26 designating October as "Zombie Preparedness Month."

Devan Tucking of the Kansas of Division of Emergency Management said the zombie theme is a means of encouraging Kansas residents to be ready for a number of potential real-life emergency scenarios.

"If you're equipped to handle the zombie apocalypse then you're prepared for tornadoes, severe storms, fire and any other natural disaster Kansas usually faces," Tucking said. This is a fun and low-stress way to get families involved, and past turnouts have proven it to be effective.

Angee Morgan, deputy director of the division, said officials incorporated zombies into the public information campaign "because it is an engaging way to get people on board with emergency preparedness."

Officials said members of the public will be encouraged to prepare home emergency kits with survival supplies to last at least three days and disaster-on-the-go packs will be free for the first 300 participants at a zombie preparedness event Oct. 25 at the Crestview Shelter House in Topeka.

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