PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – With hurricane season officially kicking off on June 1, Pinellas County officials are sounding the alarm for residents to clear out their “hidden” home dangers before the first clouds gather. Local authorities are urging everyone to ditch old chemicals, paints, and batteries now, rather than waiting for a storm surge to turn a messy garage into an environmental disaster.
Old cans of gas, half-used paint, and those dead e-bike batteries sitting in closets might seem harmless today, but they pose serious risks during a major storm. If a home floods or catches fire during a hurricane, these common household items can leak toxic chemicals or spark blazes that emergency crews can’t easily reach.
“Each year, we see people wait until a hurricane is approaching to clean out their garages, which leads to long lines at our drop-off centers and can quickly fill our fuel tanks,” said Pinellas County Solid Waste Director Paul Sacco. “By dropping these items off early, residents can avoid delays and keep the community safer.”…