Transcript
Power Outage Frequently Asked Questions Will my food be safe? Source: CDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer should be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer. If you pre-freeze a jug of water and place it in the refrigerator it will help maintain cold temperatures. If the power is out for longer than 4 hours, follow the guidelines below:
For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.
For the Refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose.
Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. For guidelines on refreezing food when the power comes back on, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s page on Food Safety in an Emergency. The following resources provide additional information on preparing for emergencies and determining if your food is safe after a power outage:
Food Safety After a Power Outage [American Red Cross] Provides tips on safely storing your food and a chart to help you determine if your food is still safe.
Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency [United States Department of Agriculture] Fact sheet and FAQs on food and water safety including guidance on when to discard perishable foods.
Prepare Your Home and Family [American Red Cross] Comprehensive site on preparing for emergencies including power outages.
Food Safety [CDC]
Will My Drinking Water Be Safe? Yes, it should. Wellington will have plenty of water in the towers and in storage to handle the length of this power outage. Also, our pumping and treatment plant has generation in the unlikely event we would have extra demands during that period of time. Will my Toilets Still Flush? Yes, they should. Toilets and the sewer system mostly operate using water pressure and gravity, both should be unaffected by a short power outage. Our lift station has a generator. Should I Take Precautions for my Sensitive Electronic Devices Like TVs and Computers? Yes, you should, especially if you do not have surge suppressors for these items. Simply disconnect the device from the wall socket before the outage and reconnect once power has been restored. There is a chance that we might have surges or voltage fluctuations when the grid is re-energized. Wellington Electric Department is not responsible for damages because of fluctuations or surges from the power supply or lightning strikes. What are Some Other Steps I Can Take to be Prepared? Having a flashlight, with good batteries, that you can find in the dark is important. Avoid using candles because of the risk of fire. If you have a garage door opener and you expect you will need to get out early Sunday morning, you may want to locate and practice the manual opening feature on your opener. If you plan to run a generator, be sure to locate it outside and far enough away that engine exhaust does not enter your home. An iced cooler can hold some of the perishables you might want during an outage, that way you can avoid opening your refrigerator.
