By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

Prepare your home for severe weather this February during the 2016 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. From Feb. 26-28, certain severe weather preparedness items will be exempt from state and Shelby County sales tax.

Hoover, Helena, Montevallo and Vincent will also suspend municipal sales tax on included items for the February tax holiday. The Pelham City Council is discussing participation, but has not yet voted on the matter.

The Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday covers a variety of items to prepare a residence for a weather emergency. Items include a range of batteries, cellphone batteries and chargers, portable weather radios, portable light sources, flexible waterproof sheeting, ground anchor systems, duct tape, materials to protect window coverings, non electric food or water storage containers, non-electric can openers, artificial ice, self-contained first aid kits, fire extinguishers, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and gas or diesel fuel tanks, all priced at $60 or less per item.

A single purchase of a portable generator and power cords, priced $1,000 or less, will also be exempt from county and state sales tax, and municipal tax where applicable, during the tax holiday.

For a complete listing of sales tax free items included in the Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, visit Revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPHolidayQuickRefSheet16.pdf.