Don't let this hurricane season take the wind out of your boating fun. Between June 1 and November 30, boaters should keep tuned into weather events and plan ahead to secure their vessels.

When an emergency evacuation occurs, pets - except for service animals - will not be allowed in Harford County shelters for public health and safety reasons. Planning ahead can save your pet's life and make yours easier, according to the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations and Harford County Animal Control. 

Plan ahead - prepare a list of pet-friendly hotels/motels.  Make a copy of Veterinary records including dates of shots and contact information and include it in your pet supply kit and/or go bag.  For those residents that would require assistance with sheltering their pets, Harford County will shelter pets at a facility designated for pets.  Residents should already have a Pet Disaster Supply Kit and Go Bag stored alongside their kits.  Pets have many of the same needs as their human counterparts.  Items for their kits/go bags include water, non-perishable food, a mechanical (non-electric) can opener, a portable carrier or crate, collars and leashes, a favorite toy, and a piece of your clothing that can go along with your pet to the shelter.   

Some children may never show distress, while other may not show any signs of being upset for several weeks or even months after an emergency. Other children may not show a change in behavior, but may still need your help.

State and county officials have prepared action plans for any emergency. Should an incident occur, you will be notified of any actions you should take. When an emergency occurs, county officials will sound a steady three-minute siren tone. County emergency services also may use public address systems and door to door notifications. The siren is a signal for you to tune your radio to your Local Emergency Alert System Stations (WXCY 103.7 FM and WHFC 91.1 FM) or your television to Harford Cable Network Comcast Channel 21/Clearview Channel 7.

If you hear an emergency siren, do the following;

• Remain calm.
• Turn on your local Emergency Alert System Station and listen for instructions.
• If you do not hear emergency announcement, it is probably a test. But listen a while longer to be sure. (Check your 2008 Emergency Public Information Calendar.
• Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated during a disaster.

The siren systems are tested the first Wednesday of each month.  The siren tones during a test are much shorter than the 3-minute siren tone you will hear during an emergency. 

It is natural to be upset when you think your health and the health of your loves ones is threatened. Pay attention to your own feelings and take care of your emotional needs. Then you can better help friends and family members handle their concerns.