ALEXANDRIA – A Florida tax law permanently exempts certain hurricane kit items from state sales tax year-round. Storm supplies including batteries, select generators, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and other essential items are among the items qualified for tax-free purchases. 

The official law is Florida Statutes § 212.08, which permanently exempts several storm preparedness supplies from Florida sales tax year-round, including select generators and fuel containers. 

“When the electricity goes out, generators keep your home running with light and power,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. “Today’s generators offer a variety of features, and there is a product for every need.”

He continues, “year-round weather challenges also are now the norm with wind, tornadoes, hurricanes and record-breaking rain and flooding occurring throughout the year, and no longer just confined to a season. While shopping for your generator, consider other equipment that could be useful in cleaning up after challenging weather such as a water pump, chain saw or pole pruner.”

Tips from OPEI for safe generator use:

• Consider what you need. When purchasing a generator, determine how many kilowatts are needed for essential items (charging family cell phones, a refrigerator, etc.) during an emergency.

• Research generators online before you buy. Talk with the staff at the store or ask questions online. Discuss safety features and ask about manufacturer fueling and care instructions. Generators offer a variety of features. Circuit-breaker-protected outlets will guard against generator overload. A larger fuel tank will provide extra running time. Integrated fuel gauges will help keep tabs on fuel levels and prevent power interruptions. Low tone mufflers make for quieter operation. Fold-down handles and wheels can make it easier to move your generator.

•  Be sure to have an outdoor-rated extension cord on hand that is long enough to place the generator a safe distance from your home, and it’s certified to carry the generator’s power load. 

• Identify generator placement. Generators should always run outdoors and away from windows, doors and vents. Give portable generators plenty of room for ventilation. Pick up a carbon monoxide detector and batteries.

• Keep generators dry. Before a storm hits, identify how to cover and vent the generator. Buy model-specific tents or generator covers online, at home centers or a hardware store.

•   Have the right fuel on hand before a storm hits in an appropriate container that seals well. 

• Store fuel in a safe place away from heat sources and out of the reach of children. Label the can with the date of purchase and the ethanol content. Check filled cans regularly and replenish them if needed. Remember fuel more than 30 days old should not be used in any outdoor power equipment. 

• Use the type of fuel recommended by the generator manufacturer. 

To help people prepare for inclement weather, OPEI encourages homeowners to educate themselves by visiting weatheritbetter.com, which includes tips on having the right outdoor power equipment, severe weather and emergency cleanup, and safety measures.