03 / FOOD
Food
A refrigerator full of food is the first thing to fail when the power does. The rules are simple, and a few steps ahead of time save most of what you own.
Common gaps
- The fridge door gets opened again and again.
- Plenty of food, but no way to open it or cook it.
- Food that should be thrown out gets eaten, or good food gets tossed.
- No thermometer, so nobody knows what temperature the food reached.
How long food stays safe
With the doors kept closed, a refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours, a full freezer for about 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for about 24 hours. After 4 hours without power, throw out refrigerated perishables such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers. Never taste food to decide whether it is safe. When in doubt, throw it out.
Prepare before the outage:
- Keep an appliance thermometer in the fridge and the freezer. USDA guidance is 40°F or below in the fridge and 0°F or below in the freezer.
- Freeze containers of water and gel packs. They help keep food cold.
- Have a large insulated cooler and know where to buy block ice or dry ice.
- Group frozen food together, so the freezer stays colder longer.
During and after
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- If the outage will pass 4 hours, move key items to a cooler with ice. Keep the cooler at 40°F or below, and add ice as it melts.
- After the power returns, check each item. Food in the freezer that still has ice crystals, or reads 40°F or below, can be refrozen or cooked.
- Throw out any food with an unusual smell, color or texture.
What to store
Ready.gov recommends at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food, and a manual can opener. Dried fruit, peanut butter and energy bars are examples it names. Keep canned food in a cool, dry place, keep boxed food in tightly closed containers, and replace expired items.
| Group | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Ready to eat | Canned meats and beans, canned fruit, peanut butter, crackers, energy bars |
| Needs water only | Instant oatmeal, dried fruit, shelf-stable milk |
| Special needs | Infant formula, food for pets, food for medical diets (see our Family kit) |
Cooking without power
Use a camp stove or grill only where the maker says it is safe, which means outdoors and away from the house. Gas and charcoal give off carbon monoxide. Never use them inside a home or garage, and never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home. In an apartment, check your lease and fire code before using any grill or propane.
What to buy
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Manual can opener | Simple, sturdy, cuts cleanly |
| Insulated cooler | A tight seal, and a size that fits your fridge essentials |
| Appliance thermometers | Easy to read, for the fridge and the freezer |
No picks yet, because none has been spec-checked.
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov, Power outage: https://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/poweroutage.html
- USDA FSIS, Keep your food safe during emergencies: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/emergencies/keep-your-food-safe-during-emergencies
- CDC, Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency: https://cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html
- Ready.gov, Build a Kit: https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit
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