Page 21 - Perth Emergency Services

In an emergency there is a good chance that power could be out for an extended period of time. This can cause many challenges, including food safety issues.
Loss of power can affect the safety of the food in your refrigerator or freezer by allowing harmful bacteria to grow as the food is exposed to temperatures above 4°C. This concern can be easily managed if you are prepared.
The following tips are to help make sure your food is properly cared for if the power goes out.
Plan Ahead
Check your refrigerators and freezers to ensure they are cold enough. Refrigerators should be maintained at 4°C or colder, and freezers should be maintained at -18°C or colder.
Take the guess work out of knowing if the temperature inside the refrigerator is safe. Purchase a thermometer at your local hardware store. If there is a power outage, refrigerator and freezer thermometers will indicate the internal temperature of the appliance, which will help you determine if the stored food is safe.
If you are concerned that the power may go out for more than two hours, have a cooler on-hand that you could fill with ice and put in the refrigerator to help keep food cold.
Have items on hand that do not require refrigeration, such as canned goods and water, and ensure you have a manual can opener available.
During the Outage
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible! Only open the door if it is absolutely necessary.
The following are general rules when you are without power:
• The refrigerator section will keep foods cool for 4-6 hours
• A full upright or chest freezer will keep food frozen for about
two days if the door is kept closed
• A half-full freezer will keep food frozen for one day if the door is
kept closed.
If possible, you can add bags of ice or ice packs to the refrigerator
to keep temperatures cooler for a longer period.
FOOD SAFETY
During a power outage
Submitted by the Perth District Health Unit
For health information during an emergency, contact the Perth District Health Unit:
www.pdhu.on.ca
519-271-7600 1-877-271-7348 ext 267
@PDHealthUnit
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When Power is Restored
Throw out any perishable foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers that have been at temperatures above 4°C for more than two hours.
Frozen food that contains ice crystals or feels refrigerator-cold can be re-frozen.
WHEN IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT! Remember spoiled food may not look contaminated. The food may not always look, smell or taste bad. If you are not sure whether an item has spoiled, play it safe and throw it out. Eating unsafe foods may cause food-borne illness.
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THE BEACON HERALD | 2018 PERTH COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT | PAGE 21