Keep Food Safe During a Power Outage

Submitted by the Will County Health Department

The Will County Health Department urges area residents and businesses to be mindful of the potential for foodborne illnesses in the wake of heavy thunderstorms possible late tonight through Thursday morning. Heavy storms complete with cloud-to-ground lightning could produce power outages across Will and Grundy counties.

The National Weather Service says thunderstorms are 80 percent likely late tonight. Additional storms are possible through mid-day Thursday, prompting the Health Department to emphasize the need for food safety awareness in case power outages do occur.

Always keep dairy, meat, poultry, fish and eggs cooled to temperatures of 41 degrees F or lower. Products found with temperatures above 41 degrees F after a power outage should be discarded.

Never taste food to determine its safety. When in doubt, throw it out.

A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for up to 48 hours.

If you aren’t sure food is cold enough to save, take its temperature with a food thermometer. Again, remember that food should be discarded if temperatures above 41 degrees F are present.

Always keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

Always keep food thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer.

In light of the potential for additional storms capable of creating power outages, make sure to have coolers and ice on hand. As always, remember that frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to protect our health.

Bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses begin to grow quickly when conditions are favorable. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.

For more power outage tips, visit http://rdcrss.org/OwYhPJ.