From batteries to coolers to pet food and portable generators, there are a lot of items you can buy tax free right now in Florida during the state’s second Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday of the year.
While you want to make sure you are stocked with supplies during the final three months of the 2024 Hurricane Season, this sales tax holiday -- which lasts until Friday, Sept. 6 -- offers a long list of items you can use in an emergency and all year round.
READ: Full list of items exempt from sales tax
Consumer Reports’ experts say to consider getting certain key things prepared now so you are ready just in case a hurricane, tornado, or other severe weather hits our area, and save on many of those items during the sales tax holiday.
Be prepared to evacuate
Pack a go bag in case you need to evacuate. Keep it near an exit door or in your car, pre-packed. In it, you want:
- Change of clothes
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Water
- Non-perishable food
- Phone charger
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered radio
- Copies of your IDs and personal documents
- Cash in small bills
If you have pets, make sure you have a plan for them too. You’ll want to include:
- Pet food
- Vaccination records
- Pet medications
If you are unsure of your evacuation zone or have questions about whether you should leave or stay at home during a storm, go to FloridaDisasters.org.
Be prepared to stay at home
If there’s a storm, be prepared to be at home without power. Store backup water jugs and shelf-stable foods.
If you don’t own a portable generator, Consumer Reports says you should consider buying one and getting it ready now.
“The single best time to buy a generator is long before a storm. You’re going to have the best selection. And you’re going to have time to get familiar with it and set it up the right way,” explained Consumer Reports’ Paul Hope.
You would also have time to have an electrician install an interlock or transfer switch so the generator can actually power everything under your roof, not just a small handful of items.
The Generac XT8500EFI, which costs between $900 and $1200, excels in Consumer Reports’ tests, earning top marks among traditional portable generators. Don’t forget, if you buy a portable generator that’s less than $3,000 between now and Sept. 6, you won’t have to pay any sales tax.
Finally, set up a communication plan. Be sure your cellphone is set up for wireless emergency alerts. These are free notifications sent by government agencies to mobile devices.
Rather than trying to text with a ton of people in your family, pick a single contact outside of your emergency area who can relay important information.
To learn more about planning for a weather emergency and getting the best gear to help you and your family before during and after a storm, check out Consumer Reports’ Storm & Emergency Guide.