| Keeping Food Safe During a Power Outage |
| When the power goes off, it is important to know how to keep frozen or refrigerated food safe to eat. A refrigerator can normally stay safely cold for four to six hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is. A fully stocked freezer will keep food frozen for two days if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer can keep foods frozen about one day.
refrigerated food can spoil. To keep food safe to eat, add a block of ice to the refrigerator. As the ice melts, the water may saturate food packages. Be sure to keep packages out of the water as it drains. High-protein foods, such as dairy products, meat, fish, and poultry should be consumed as soon as possible if power is not restored immediately. These foods cannot be stored safely at room temperature. Fruits and vegetables can be kept safely at room temperature until there are obvious signs of spoilage; like mold, slime or wilt.
off for more than one to two days, keep the freezer door closed. If friends or family have electricity, divide frozen foods among their freezers, or seek freezer space at a store, church, school, or spoiling. Twenty-five pounds of dry ice will keep a 10-cubit-foot freezer below freezing for three to four days. However, dry ice freezes everything it touches and should not be touched with bare hands. If food is still “cold-to-the-touch,” it may be cooked and eaten immediately, or refrozen. If you have any questions, please contact the Marion County Health Department at:
Salem, Illinois 62881 Phone: (618) 548-3878 Fax: (618) 548-3866 Email the Environmental Health Director |
