August and September can bring storms like Fred and Ida which result in power outages. Sometimes it means we can be without power for a significant time. These power outages can lead to food safety concerns. It is best to be prepared before they happen. Here are some tips to do just that.
How to Prepare for Power Outage- Make sure you have thermometers in both your refrigerator and your freezer. It is good to also have a tip-sensitive digital food thermometer to check the temperatures of foods before you eat them.
- Have a supply of bottled water to use if the water system are impacted by the storms and you have a boil water advisory or if your well is affected. Use this water for brushing teeth, cooking, cleaning and even for your pets.
- If you have enough time before the storm, prepare coolers and purchase extra ice or dry ice to hold foods that need to stay cold.
- Stock up on foods that can be eaten cold or heated up on outdoor grills.
- Dairy – hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan, romano), individually packaged cultured dairy products, like yogurt and sour cream, individual cheese sticks, and shelf stable milk boxes and alternative milk in boxes.
- Proteins – hard boiled air-cooled eggs, shelf stable dry fermented meats such as pepperoni, individually packaged nuts or seed butters, canned meats or seafood.
- Grains and snacks – bread, rolls, buns, muffins, baked goods, crackers, pretzels, popcorn and granola bars
- Produce – whole fruits and vegetables, baby carrots, grapes, apples, bananas, berries, cherry tomatoes, individually wrapped applesauce or fruit cups, canned applesauce or fruits.
- Other shelf stable foods – soups, stews, chilis and pastas that are ready to eat, fruits and vegetables and fruit and vegetable juices, tuna, salmon, chicken, pork and beans.
