Contact: NOVEC Public Relations, 1-888-335-0500, customerservice@novec.com
Virginia’s Sales Tax Holiday is May 25-31
NORTHERN VIRGINIA — The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative urges customers to be prepared for powerful storms and power outages by taking advantage of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s 2011 sales tax holiday, May 25-31.
During the seven-day period, purchases of items designated by Virginia’s Department of Taxation as hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment will be exempt from state sales tax. Portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less. Other eligible items must each be priced at $60 or less. They include:
- Flashlights and battery-powered lanterns
- New batteries for flashlights and radios
- NOAA weather radio or other battery-powered radio
- Cell phone batteries
- First aid kit
- Cooler ice packs
- Manual can opener
- Bottled water
- Water storage containers
- Gas or diesel fuel containers
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon dioxide detectors
- Duct tape
Be Prepared for Stormy Weather
- Designate the safest shelter location. Be prepared to leave a mobile home for better protection. Develop a plan for someone disabled.
- Have an emergency kit with many of the products listed above. Include non-perishable food, and matches. If applicable, have enough prescription drugs, pet food, and baby-care items.
- Have identification and documentation ready to grab. Keep Social Security information; birth certificates; home, car, and life insurance files; and other important documents in a waterproof file box.
- Cordless phones do not work when power is out. Keep cell phones charged.
- Make sure NOVEC has your current phone number to expedite outage reporting and restoration. Associate a cell phone number with your account.
- If there is time before an imminent storm, unplug TVs, DVD/ VCR players, microwave oven, and computers to protect them from power surges and lightning strikes.
- Call NOVEC at 703-335-0500 or 1-888-335-0500, or report the outage online at www.novec.com if you have access. The Outage Center will provide updates.
- If you see downed power lines and poles, stay away. Even debris near power lines could be energized. Notify NOVEC immediately.
- Open freezers and refrigerators only when necessary.
- Only use portable generators, camp stoves, or grills outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Alternatively, heat food in a chafing dish or fondue pot over canned fuel.
