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Chambers County is participating in the 13th annual Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. From Feb. 23 to 25, citizens can buy emergency preparedness items without paying a sales tax.

The Alabama Department of Revenue lists the items that are eligible in a press release and can be viewed on the State’s emergency management agency’s website or Facebook page. Some of the covered  items ($60 or less) include:

• Batteries: AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt
• Cell phone chargers and batteries
• Portable weather radio
• Portable light source: flashlights, lanterns, emergency glow sticks
• Weather sheeting
• Duct tape
• Plywood or other window coverings
• Ice packs and first aid kits
• Fire extinguishers
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

The release notes that car, coin, and boat batteries are not included in the holiday. Generators and power cords under $1,000 are eligible. 

The holiday is being marketed as the time to restock or create emergency kits. Tornado season is well underway in Alabama, and with the winter freezes of the past couple of months, emergency supplies are a necessity. 

“Emergency kits reduce disasters’ impacts and allow you to be self-sufficient for at least three days when disaster strikes,” According to the AEMA. They recommend you have kits in your home, car, and workplace. The agency also has emergency kit checklists available on its website.