With peak hurricane season right around the corner, Hillsborough County is reminding residents to make sure that they have a plan in place, and to prepare their families, homes, and businesses for any potential storms.

Residents and visitors can use the 2018 Disaster Planning Guide to make a disaster plan, pull together supplies, check evacuation zones, keep pets safe, and protect homes and businesses. Download a Disaster Planning Guide online, or pick up one at Hillsborough County post offices, fire stations, or public libraries.

Find helpful stories and information about storm season.

For more information about Hillsborough County Emergency Management, visit HCFLGov.net/StaySafe.

Chances are that someone in your home received a new electronic gadget this holiday season. Hillsborough County Solid Waste reminds residents to recycle obsolete or broken electronics that may contain lead, mercury, and other toxic materials. They should not be thrown out with regular, household garbage.

Items containing a digital display or circuit board, including televisions, computers, laptops, mobile devices, stereo equipment, gaming consoles, VCR/DVD players, and printers, may be safely recycled at sites that will take them for free.

The most generous way to discard working electronics is to inquire about donating them to a local shelter, charity or thrift store. Additionally, many electronics retailers have free recycling programs for both working and broken devices.

Residents in Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, and the City of Temple Terrace may recycle limited quantities of household electronics at one of four Community Collection Centers by presenting a photo ID:

• Alderman Ford, 9402 County Road 39 in Lithia
• Hillsborough Heights, 6209 County Road 579 in Seffner
• Northwest County, 8001 W. Linebaugh Ave. in Tampa
• South County, 13000 U.S. 41 in Gibsonton

The Community Collection Centers are self-unloading facilities open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., with the exception of holidays. They will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Disposal of other items accepted at the centers, such as appliances, furniture, lead-acid batteries, and tires, require a photo I.D. and a property tax bill showing the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Disposal Assessment.

Small bathroom and kitchen appliances such as toasters, crock pots, electric skillets, blenders, hair dryers, and curling irons may be discarded in your regular trash. Microwave ovens may be recycled as scrap metal at any Community Collection Center.

For more information on items accepted at Hillsborough County Solid Waste facilities, hours, and contact numbers, go here.