The Darke County General Health District has issued the following guidelines for handling food during our recent weather and power outage issues.
If the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will 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 the power is out for longer than 2 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: Milk, dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers should be packed 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 more guidelines on when to save, and when to throw out food during a power outage visit the Darke County General Health District at http://www.darkecountyhealth.org or contact Janel Hodges at 937-548-4196 ext. 206.
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