Food Safety During a Power Outage

Most American homes have a distinct advantage over the homes of a few generations back; we can store and preserve fresh foods inside our homes in freezers and refrigerators. These appliances have become a vital part of our normal schedules, and doing without them creates significant disruptions. When the occasional power outage happens, it is very important to know the safety limitations for frozen and refrigerated foods. Here are some tips to prepare for outages and set boundaries for food safety.

Prepare Ahead of Time for Safety During a Power Outage

Common causes of lengthy power outages include:

• A power transmission problem, such as a blown transformer
• A localized storm, with high winds that takes down power lines
• A regional storm, like a hurricane

Buy some battery-powered thermometers that transmit a reading to a Smart device—a phone or a tablet. Purchase one for each refrigerator or freezer compartment.

• Determining food safety is based on the temperature of the food products.
• Every time you open the door, the temperature will rise dramatically; these thermometers will let you document food temperatures even with the door closed

Your emergency preparedness plan should include storing several days of drinking water for your family. Placing water inside both the refrigerator and freezer will help maintain a constant temperature.

• Liquids and solids retain a temperature longer than gas, like air. If you have time before the power outage, store some of the water in both compartments to keep the temperature colder longer. Only add the water if you allow adequate time for it to completely freeze or chill.
• Adding liquid will help, but make sure that the cold air can circulate around every item; over-filling the compartments will reduce efficiency, so allow enough room for cooling to take place.
• Do not cover or block the vents inside the freezer or refrigerator.

Safety During a Power Outage: Know the Danger Zone

Heath departments and food handlers use the term “danger zone” for food that remains between 40⁰ and 140⁰ F since bacteria can (and will) grow quickly between those temperatures.¹

• Once a power outage has begun, keep compartment doors closed as much as possible. It will not take long for compartments to reach room temperature if the door opens.
• If the temperature inside either compartment remains above 40⁰ F for longer than two hours, the food should be discarded, since it is unsafe to eat.
• If you have not yet purchased the Smart thermometers, know that it will not take long for the refrigerator compartment to raise about 40⁰ An outage that lasts three to four hours may result in an unsafe storage temperature. A full, unopened freezer might keep food safe for two days, while a half-full freezer might be safe for one day.
• While you are waiting for the power to come back on, plan to eat meals prepared from shelf-stable foods from the pantry instead. Set a chair in front of the fridge to help everyone remember to keep the doors closed—it can be a habit when family members get hungry.

The Long-Range Plan for Safety During a Power Outage

A long-term solution for power outages might be to have a permanent standby generator installed for your home. The switch setting will sense the loss of power, disconnect your home from the power grid, and start-up immediately to provide uninterrupted electric service to your home. Generators come in a variety of sizes to fit the needs of homes large and small.

We Can Help With Safety During a Power Outage

Our four decades of experience as a Houston Electrician and contractor AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to help with Food and Appliance Safety During a Power Outage for your home and business.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair and installation needs.

¹ https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html#:~:text=Bacteria%20can%20multiply%20rapidly%20if,when%20to%20throw%20food%20out%20