Hurricane supplies, generators are sales tax-free through Thursday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With hurricane season upon us, Florida’s 2018 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday began on Friday and will run through Thursday.

During the week-long holiday, qualifying items related to disaster preparedness will be available to customers tax-free, according to the Florida Department of Revenue.

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Eligible items include:

• Under $10: reusable ice packs
• Under $20: candles, flashlights and lanterns
• Under $25: gas or diesel containers
• Under $30: AAA-cell, C-cell, AA-cell, D-cell, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries (not including car and boat batteries); coolers 
• Under $50: bungee cords; ground anchor systems; radios (battery, solar or hand-crank); ratchet straps; tarps; tie-down kits; other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Under $750: portable generators

The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute provided multiple tips to consider when purchasing portable generators and fuel containers to prepare for disasters:

• Consider the types of items that the generator will need to power and how much energy is needed
• Research generators before buying one
• Consider installing a carbon monoxide detector if using a generator
• Identify where the generator will be placed; generators require breathing room
• Generators should be located outside and away from windows, doors and vents
• Keep generators dry
• Prepare a source of fuel stored away from heat sources; fuel should not be used if it’s older than 30 days

The 2018 hurricane season will begin on June 1 and ends on Nov. 30.