Showing posts with label reminder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reminder. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Don't Forget To Buy Your Tax Free Hurricane Items


HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - Forecasters are expecting the Atlantic Hurricane season to be busier than normal, as the 2010 season approaches and a low pressure cell off the coast has caught the attention of Super Doppler 10 meteorologists.

It's not supposed to bother us, but it's nature's way of reminding everybody of the season to come.

A low pressure cell lingering off the Virginia and Carolina coasts has already generated rough surf along the beaches. Forecasters do not expect any real trouble from this one, but they continue to monitor its movement.

But preparing for an approaching storm or hurricane involves a lot more than just keeping an eye on the weather.

"Every family should have an emergency preparedness kit," said Wayne Lousteau, a manager at Home Depot.

Lousteau says there are a number of relatively inexpensive items you should have to meet basic necessities when riding out a storm.

"You want to make sure that you have light available to you, that you have water and food available to you and that you have a source of information," he said.

It's information that could save your life.

"What I'm holding...is a radio that will always have access to the NOAA Weather Radio Stations and can be provided power via two methods," Lousteau said.

Standard batteries, or the hand crank, generates electricity for the radio. Lousteau also says you should make sure you have plenty of batteries on hand, ranging from Double-A to D-cell, depending on your power requirements.

From now through the end of the month, most of these items are exempt from sales tax, which means buy now and save money. Of course your Hurricane kit should include more than just basic necessities. There are certain things you absolutely must have.

"Your critical medical needs in terms of do you have your medications," said Mark Marchbank, deputy coordinator Emergency Management of Virginia Beach.

Marchbank says to have your emergency kit ready throughout the year for any kind of natural or man-made disaster.

www.wavy.com

Please take time to prepare for the bad weather this season and take advantage of the tax free items.