Baton Rouge: Louisiana residents can save money on flashlights, batteries, generators and other emergency supplies during the 2013 Louisiana Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26.

The 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1. Meteorologists predict an active season with 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

“We encourage everyone to get prepared now,” Louisiana Department of Revenue Executive Counsel Tim Barfield said. “This is a chance to save money while helping to keep your family safe and comfortable during and after a hurricane. Don’t wait until there’s a storm coming, or until one has struck.”

The sales tax holiday exempts eligible items from the 4 percent state sales tax. The exemption applies to the first $1,500 of the purchase price of each item.

Eligible purchases include:

• Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles
• Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios
• Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
• Ground anchor systems, straps or tie-down kits
• Gas or diesel fuel tanks
• Batteries, sizes AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt (Automobile batteries and boat batteries are ineligible)
• Cellular phone batteries and chargers
• Non-electric food storage coolers
• Portable generators
• Storm shutter devices (Materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically for the purposes of preventing window damage from storms)
• Carbon monoxide detectors
• “Blue Ice” (and similar re-usable cooling products)

The exemption applies only to the 4 percent Louisiana state sales tax. Local taxes apply unless specifically exempted by local taxing authorities.

Additional information about the sales tax holiday is available online at: http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/sections/Publications/HurricanePrepSalesTaxHoliday.aspx