Sudden power outages can be frustrating and troublesome, especially when they last a long time. If a

power outage is two hours or less, you need not be concerned about losing your perishable foods. For

prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all

members of your household as comfortable as possible.

 

How do I prepare for a power outage?

To help preserve your food, keep the following supplies in your home:

• One or more coolers — Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers work well.
• Ice — Surrounding your food with ice in a cooler or in the refrigerator will keep food colder for a

          longer period of time during a prolonged power outage.

• A digital quick-response thermometer — With these thermometers you can quickly check the

          internal temperatures of food to ensure they are cold enough to use safely.

 

Put together an emergency preparedness kit with these supplies in case of a prolonged or widespread

 power outage:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food—non-perishable, easy-to prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Flashlight (NOTE: Do not use candles during a power outage due to the extreme risk of fire.)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to

          home, birth certificates, insurance policies)

• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash

If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, remember to

include backup power in your evacuation plan.

Keep a non-cordless telephone in your home. It is likely to work even when the power is out.

Keep your car’s gas tank full.

 

What should I do during a power outage?

Keep food as safe as possible.

 Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the

refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about four (4) hours.

 Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it

is half full) if the door remains closed.

 Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.

If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer

items.

 Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

 

Electrical equipment

 Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the

power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.

Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

 

Using generators safely

• When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets

          on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.

• If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician.

          Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.

 

What should I do when the electrical power comes back on?

Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines

to the appropriate officials in your area.

 

Throw out unsafe food.

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for two (2) hours or

more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and

          smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses

          can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by

          cooking.

• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer.

         Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures

          higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or

          feels warm to touch.

 

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-

          burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate

          unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

• The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are

          carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.

• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside

          sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open

         window or door.

• Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to

          assist you.

 

Energy Conservation Recommendations (When Power is On)

Turn off lights and computers when not in use.

• Wash clothes in cold water if possible; wash only full loads and clean the dryer's lint trap after

          each use.

• When using a dishwasher, wash full loads and use the light cycle. If possible, use the rinse only

          cycle and turn off the high temperature rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, just open

          the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.

 

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