OLDSMAR, Fla. — It’s been a few weeks since several parts of the state saw impacts of Debby. Residents can prepare for the rest of storm season by stocking up and preparing emergency kits now.
Saturday kicks off the second chance to take advantage of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.
It might be bright and sunny this Saturday, but when it’s not, Cameron Day knows it’s best to be prepared for severe weather.
“What I usually do is get a bin, and I’ll put all the stuff in the bin and then that’s in the garage, so I know all my stuff is in there and I collect the flashlights,” he said.
He’s been living in Pinellas County for four years now and knows the dangers hurricanes can bring.
Day is taking advantage of the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday and stocking up on items like batteries, lights and more.
ACE Hardware in Oldsmar they’re keeping residents like Day informed.
They’ve set up a table with items that fall under the sales tax holiday.
“We have our flashlights, we have our flood barriers, our window and door protection kits, extra batteries, gas cans,” says Herb Dell, floor manager for the store.
Dell said the items that go fast in any emergency are flashlights and batteries, but he says it’s also important to think about your pets.
Pet carriers, cat litter and dog food all fall under the tax-free items this holiday.
Dell also says the biggest mistake anyone can do this hurricane season is to wait until the last minute to purchase items.
“When the hurricane gets closer, you see more people come in and again, it’s a last-minute thing, but we want to make sure we have a good amount of hurricane supplies in,” he said.
Dell said the first tax holiday season that happened earlier this year brought a lot of families into their store.
Now, a few weeks after Debby, he encourages more people to stock up now.
For Day, shopping for items also comes with a lot of planning.
“There’s a lot of things here and a lot of good ideas, and (it) helps me out and that’s what I like to do,” he said.
Rain or shine, Day is prepared and hopes others will take the time to do the same.
This disaster preparedness sales tax holiday runs until Sept. 6.
