To enhance the public understanding of natural hazards so that appropriate response actions can be taken to reduce natural disasters for a safer living, the Hong Kong Observatory joined force with the Security Bureau, five government departments and other organisations to organise a year-long public education campaign - "Safer Living - Reducing Natural Disasters".

The objective of "Safer Living" is to promote public awareness of natural disasters, encouraging members of the public to join in the effort to take precaution against natural disasters.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Director of Hong Kong Observatory, Mr Lam Chiu-ying, called on the public to take routine precautionary measures against natural hazards by citing the following couplet: "Storms are dictated by God; safety is ensured by men."   "Storms are destined to come. Whether it will cause casualties or not depends on what precautionary measures we have taken," Mr Lam stressed.

A range of community education programmes are being organized. These include a four-episode TV programme on safer living, another TV programme "Meteorological Series III" jointly produced by Hong Kong Observatory and RTHK, a tropical cyclone name nomination contest, popular science lectures, a slogan and bookmark design contest, a seminar on natural disaster reduction, a major exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum and rescue drill demonstrations.

Website: http://saferliving.info.gov.hk