Preparing for hurricane season doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Below you will find links to lists of retail stores and gas stations that can operate during a loss of power; tips for saving money while you prepare for the storm; and measures to protect yourself against consumer fraud.

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Consumer Fraud

Scams such as price-gouging and home repair rip-offs are common during hurricane season. Click here to learn how you can protect yourself against consumer fraud.

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Retail Stores

You don't have to break your budget to gather your hurricane supplies. DEM has put together a budget-friendly tip sheet to help you save money this hurricane season. Click here to view the tip sheet

The price of commodities can vary, but it can be useful to know what you can expect to spend when you purchase your hurricane supplies. The Miami-Dade County Consumer Services Department (CSD) has put together a guide of important supplies and their average prices to help shoppers budget themselves when gathering their supplies. Click here to view the list . 

The link below lists retail stores in Miami-Dade County that have identified themselves as having backup power capability. Though a retail store may be noted on this lists, it DOES NOT guarantee that the store will be open immediately following a hurricane or other major emergency.

Retail Stores That Have Identified Themselves as Having Backup Power  

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Gasoline Stations

The link below lists gas stations in Miami-Dade County that have identified themselves as having backup power capability. Though a gas station may be noted on this list, it DOES NOT guarantee that the store will be open immediately following a hurricane or other major emergency.

Gas Stations That Have Identified Themselves as Having Backup Power  

Gasoline is one of the most dangerous substances found in residential dwellings.  Here are some guidelines for safe residential storage of gasoline:

• Store gasoline in an airtight approved storage container, holding 5 gallons or less, like the red plastic gasoline cans sold at hardware stores, or approved metal gasoline cans.
• Storage in one and two family dwellings is limited to a total of 25 gallons. In a two-family dwelling, the 25 gallons are per structure, NOT per family.
• If possible, store gasoline in a cool, dry, ventilated and secure area entirely separate from the house, such as a shed or detached garage.
• Storage within the building is limited to rooms with fire-rated separation from the rest of the structure, such as a garage or a storage room opening to the outside only. There must not be any gas water heater or air handler equipment for the rest of the building in this garage or room.
• Do not store near appliances such as clothes dryers or water pumps.
• Store well away from generators and cars.
• Keep gasoline containers out of reach from children and pets to prevent accidental poisoning.  Make sure containers have child resistant caps.
  

Leftover gasoline should never be poured down the drain, dumped on the ground, or thrown in the trash. It is Illegal to throw anything at all - including gasoline - into the ocean, bay, rivers, canals, lakes, or other waters of Miami Dade County. And nothing but rainwater is allowed to drain into the stormdrains located in streets, curbs, and right of ways.