By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

With hurricane and tornado seasons approaching, Shelby County and a number of municipalities will participate in the second annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Feb. 22-24.

A provision in the Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday law allows counties and municipalities to join the state by removing their own local sales and use taxes” from a list of items, stated a release from the Alabama Department of Revenue.

Shelby County, Calera, Columbiana, Hoover, Montevallo, Pelham and Wilsonville have announced their intentions to participate in the tax holiday.

“I think if more people knew about it, they would participate,” Montevallo Building and Lumber Supply owner Heath Klinner said. “Some people could save about $40 on a $400 generator.”

The items, which have a sales price of $60 or less, include the following:

-Batteries: AAA-cell batteries, AA-cell batteries, C-cell batteries, D-cell batteries, 6-volt batteries and 9-volt batteries.

-Cellular phone battery.

-Cellular phone charger.

-Portable, self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weather-band radio or NOAA weather radio.

-Portable, self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or emergency glow sticks.

-Tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths and other flexible, waterproof sheeting.

-Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords, rope or tie-down kits.

-Duct tape.

-Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings.

-Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container.

-Non-electric can opener.

-Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs or reusable ice.

-Self-contained first aid kit.

-Fire extinguisher.

-Smoke detector.

-Carbon monoxide detector.

-Gas or diesel fuel tank or container.

Also, residents may purchase portable generators and power cords with a sales price of less than $1,000.