Tips on Keeping Food Safe During Power Outages

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Tips on Keeping Food Safe During Power Outages

Residents who have lost power are urged to take steps to ensure that food left in the refrigerator and freezer is safe.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service, meat, poultry, fish and eggs should be refrigerated at 40° F and frozen food at or below 0° F, which may be difficult with a prolonged power outage.

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. A refrigerator will only keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened.

• A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

• Obtain dry ice or block ice to keep your refrigerator as cold as possible if there is a prolonged power outage. Residents should check with local retailers for ice supplies.

• Digital, dial or instant-read thermometers a ...more

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