NOVEMBER 22, 14:37 EST

Dutch Seniors Receive Y2K Rattles

WEERT, Netherlands (AP)  In case of emergency, shake your rattle.

That's what the 217 residents of homes for the elderly in this southern Dutch town have been told to do in the event of a power outage caused by the so-called Y2K computer glitch.

``We have checked and tested all of our computer systems. But you can never be absolutely sure,'' said Ton van Daelen, director of the Weert Geriatrics Foundation, which runs the homes.

The residents were given plastic noisemakers Friday to call a nurse if their alarm buttons fail to work. Extra personnel will patrol the hallways on New Year's Eve.

The rattles were a hit at Friday's drill, van Daelen said.

``It's having a fun, soothing effect on our residents. And it's a simple, inexpensive way to be prepared,'' he said

-- G Bailey (glbailey1@excite.com), November 22, 1999

Answers

Man, this could be a real hot seller!!! Make rattles with the head of Koskinen on them, maybe even have a little pre-recorded witch doctor type message inside:

"Hooga-wooga, Y2K OK, hooga-wooga, electricity come back today."

"Hooga-wooga, Y2K no stay, hooga-wooga, just three days."

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.cum), November 22, 1999.

Funnnnnnny, funny, fun, King of Spain....best laugh, maybe only laugh, I've had all day in Wonderland.

-- Queen of Hearts (Alice@wonder.land), November 22, 1999.