Tax Holiday 6/2 - 6/4 for Hurricane Preparedness

This Thursday (June 1st) marks the official start of Hurricane season. Although we are fortunate to have been spared from Hurricanes for quite some time, it is always best to be prepared. ​

Florida had a nice long run of 11 years without a hurricane making landfall. Our luck ran out last year when Hurricane Hermine hit the Panhandle in September and Hurricane Matthew swept across the east coast in October.
By the time a Hurricane is announced, stores are often sold out of critical supplies such as water, batteries, propane and other valuable items. To help Florida residents to be prepared, a three-day "disaster-preparedness sales tax holiday was implemented that will be in effect from June 2nd thru June 4th. 
Items that will be tax-free during the disaster preparedness holiday include:

• reusable ice packs up to $10
• flashlights and lanterns costing $20 or less
• a gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $25 or less
• batteries, coolers and first-aid kits costing $30 or less
• radios and tarps costing $50 or less
• generators costing $750 or less

What to bring to a shelter
Here are some ideas from FLORIDA REALTORS for a better shelter experience:
The basics:

• Bedding, pillows and, if possible, an air mattress or cot. Most Red Cross shelters do NOT have cots and the most comfortable shelter goers had air mattresses like the Intex Comfort Plush Airbed with built-in pump. Get creative, make a bed out of sofa cushions or plastic lounge chairs or pool float.
• Earplugs and eye masks. Babies scream, people may talk while you’re sleeping. Lights may turn on at daybreak.
• Pack food that does not need to be heated. The food is limited at shelters, so bring extras such as peanut butter, jelly, bread, fruit and snacks and store them in an ice-packed cooler. Don’t forget a can opener.
• Drinking water. Shelter officials recommend a gallon a day per person. Err on the generous side, you never know how long a storm will linger.
• Surge protector and chargers. While the power is on you’ll want to make sure your phones and devices remain charged. There are not many outlets so bringing a surge protector will help and make you popular among your fellow evacuees.

The extras:

• Games, books, cards, magazines. Once the power goes out, so do the televisions. Bring along board games for kids. If you like crafts, pack supplies, such as knitting needles. If you bring a tablet or laptop, realize most shelters, which are public schools, will not allow you to use their wireless network.
• Air freshener. Remember: There could be a few bathrooms for hundreds of people. Also on this note, bring toilet paper and deodorant, just in case.
• Handheld, battery-powered fans or paper fans. Storms could cut out power and generators likely would be used for lights and kitchen use only.
• Batteries and portable battery packs. For cell phones, portable televisions, portable video games, etc.
• Basic disaster supplies kit
• Water. One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash and change