Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Preparedness Tip - The Power is Out


During storm season one thing that frequently happens is the electricity goes out.

When the electricity goes out, a main concern is what about the stuff in the refrigerator.

Here are two tips to remember:

* Perishable foods should not be held above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours.
* If a power outage is 2 hours or less, you need not be concerned.

Next – What to do

Do not open the refrigerator or freezer.

An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold enough for a couple of hours at least.

A full freezer will hold up to 48 hours.

If it looks like the outage will be more than 2 to 4 hours, pack food into a cooler surrounded by ice.

As soon as the power returns, check temperatures. Remember - above 40 degrees for more that two hours. Check internal temperatures of the food. If it is above 40 degrees, it is best to throw it out.

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