TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The 2018 hurricane season is officially over but that doesn't mean you push your hurricane kit to the side and forget about it.
What you should do is start preparing for next year's season.
Nov. 30 marked the end of the hurricane season, one that was pretty devastating locally. And now that it's over, what should you do with your hurricane kit?
Even though we're not looking at active hurricanes, you have to make sure you're prepared for next season now.
According to Leon County Emergency Management, kits need to be looked at year round to make sure food is still good and it is fully stocked especially after a hurricane since many things in the kits may have been used.
And something to keep in mind: Hurricane kits are not just used for hurricanes. Like we saw this past weekend, severe weather can impact Florida and Georgia with flooding and tornado watches, so having a kit already made can help.
The director for Leon County Emergency management says this is a perfect time of year to replace certain items.
"One of the nice options this time of year is we do have the canned food drives," said Kevin Peters." You can give to those and then go out and replace all the items that are perishable in your kit now so they will be fresh during the off-season until we get to hurricane season."
If you are low on cash and are wondering what is the most important for the kits, Peters says that food along with items that provide information are vital.
"Items that you can receive information, batteries, battery powered radio so you can get updates from the emergency operation center, items for food and snacks to get you through till stores get power back and open up," said Peters.
Peters also stresses that everyone in the family should have their own hurricane kit and even adding small games or cards to kit will help your morale during the tough times.
