Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox urged the public last night to take a number of precautions in advance of a possible brush with Tropical Storm Erin, which is expected to be packing hurricane force winds by Monday.

She urged residents: "Make sure the shutters are up and ready to be secured, make sure the garden is clear of things that might blow away or be damaged in the wind, make sure boats are secured, make sure there is water in the bathtub and batteries in the flashlights."

Here are a number of other measures that should be taken in advance:

Inspect and repair windows, blinds, latches, hooks.

Prune trees and overhanging branches.

Keep emergency equipment available to include a hammer and nails, a pair of pliers, plywood boarding (for windows), masking tape, plastic sheeting, rope, buckets (for fresh water), a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, matches, an AM/FM radio (battery operated), a fire extinguisher or sand bucket and a non-electric stove and fuel.

Keep a stock of candles, hurricane lamps and torches, but avoid using them if possible, especially during high winds (fires caused by candles and kerosene lamps are a major hazard during hurricanes).

Decide which is the safest room or location inside your house if a hurricane strikes.

If you have an electric stove it is worth investing in a barbecue or grill so you can cook food in the event of a long power cut.

Important numbers that can be used in case of emergency are: Fire: 911; Police: 911; Ambulance: 911; BELCO: 955; Telephone repairs: 903; Weather; 977; Tropical Weather: 977-3; Harbour Radio/Rescue Coordination Centre: 297-1010.

Precautionary information can also be found in the telephone directory blue pages and weather information can be found on the Internet at www.weather.bm.The emergency broadcast frequency is 100.1 on the FM band.