Check the date: These items in your hurricane kit might be expired

Maintain your hurricane kit to make sure you’re ready when storm strikes

Batteries (Pixabay)

ORLANDO, Fla. – During hurricane season, Floridians should prepared for the possibility of a storm striking.

New this year, Floridians have two opportunities to buy tax-free hurricane supplies to refresh or rebuild their hurricane kits.

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If you’re building one from scratch or just want to make sure you still have everything you need ahead of a potential disaster, click here for a downloadable checklist of items to include in your hurricane kit.

[DOWNLOAD: News 6 Hurricane Preparedness Checklist | GET PREPARED: These are the best hurricane kits money can buy]

If you’re just looking to revamp an old storm kit, here’s a list of items you should check for expiration dates:

  • Food
  • Baby formula
  • Pet food
  • Water
  • Batteries
  • First aid supplies
  • Medication

If you’ve added any other perishable items to your kit, go ahead and check the expiration dates on those items and replace them as needed.

You’ll want to make sure none of the items listed above have an expiration date before Nov. 30, which marks the official end to the Atlantic hurricane season. If they do, replace those items with newer ones.

Once your kit is updated, it’s important to maintain it to make sure it’s ready if and when you need to use it.

Here are some tips to maintain your emergency kit, courtesy of Ready.gov:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
  • Replace expired items as needed.
  • Rethink your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

While you’re preparing your kit, you should also create a plan to best prepare you and your family for a hurricane.

For more tips to plan and prepare for storm season, visit ClickOrlando.com/Hurricane.


About the Author

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.