how to prepare for a hurricane.

Disaster Preparedness is just one part of Hurricane Awareness Week which has been organised by the Emergency Measures Organisation.

The books, donated by the Red Cross of Bermuda, is available free of charge in the Junior Library.

Police Community Relations Officer Sgt. Roseanda Jones said: "The book gives a whole lot of information about how to prepare for a hurricane.

"In fact there is quite a lot of information there for the whole family which they will be able to pick up while children are using it.'' Deputy Governor Mr. Peter Willis is the chairman of the hurricane awareness campaign, his first official undertaking since arriving on the Island.

Pamphlets, available at libraries and post offices, and public service announcements will add to the information campaign to make people aware of the hurricane season from June 1 to November 30.

Also this week the United States Naval Air Station have been holding an exercise in preparation for a hurricane. The exercise will assume the Island is being buffeted by winds from a hurricane, named Walter.

Sgt. Jones said: "This means a hurricane watch will go into effect late this evening. A hurricane watch is when winds greater than 64 knots will affect Bermuda within 36 hours.

"If this was an actual hurricane approaching the US Naval Weather Facility would inform all local broadcasting stations and the EMO would be on alert.'' In the event of a hurricane the following should be checked: emergency lighting, like flashlights, useful tools, heavy plastic sheeting or tarpaulin, safety equipment, including a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher or a sand bucket, and a battery-operated radio which can tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast station at 100.1 mhz on the FM band.

Boat owners are asked to check their moorings and consider taking the boat out of the water or find a sheltered mooring.

Sgt. Jones added: "This would be a good time to check on your neighbours, particularly the elderly and infirm. The hurricane watch is the first real warning we receive that a hurricane is likely to strike Bermuda.'' HURRICANE AWARENESS -- Six-year-old Michelle Spencer reads the disaster colouring book, Disaster Preparedness, at the Junior Library.