Preparing Food without Power

When preparing food, consider the following:

Time. If fuel is limited, choose food which cooks quickly or no-cook food.

Amount. Prepare only the food you need for one meal and discard perishable leftovers.

Method. Acceptable methods include:

• Fireplace. You can grill food or wrap it in foil and cook it in the fireplace. Never use charcoal as fuel for indoor fires; the carbon monoxide is very dangerous.
• Camp stove. Use only outside the house. Propane and butane fires are difficult to extinguish and can get out of hand.
• Charcoal grill. Use to cook food in foil and one-pot meals. Cook outside where there is ventilation.
• Fondue pot or chafing dish. Use inside as long as the fuel is approved for indoor use.

Keeping Food Cold When the Power is Out

Food will stay chilled for 4 to 6 hours in a refrigerator without power. To keep temperatures cool longer, place bags of regular ice on upper shelves and pans to catch the melting ice on lower shelves. The more ice you use, the longer the temperature stays cool.

What to Do When the Power Comes Back On

Once your freezer and/or refrigerator are working, evaluate the safety of the affected food. For frozen food, consider the type of food and the extent of thawing. For refrigerated food, consider the temperature inside the refrigerator before the return of power, the type of food, and the time these foods have been stored above 40°F.

Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

Is My Water Safe?

Unless you are absolutely certain your water supply is not contaminated, purify all water before drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. If the water contains sediment or floating material, strain it through a cloth before purifying it. If you have access to heat or power, water should be boiled for ten minutes; if not, treat it with chemicals (chlorine, iodone, or water purification tablets).

Hot water heaters or water pressure tanks can supply safe water. Before using water from the water heater, switch off the gas or electricity. Leaving the power on while the heater is empty could cause an explosion or burn out the elements. After turning off the power source, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Do not turn the water heater on again until the water system is back in service.

Is the Food Still Safe?

Milk: Discard if above 40°F over 2 hours.

Fruit juices: Generally safe unrefrigerated until power returns, but discard if cloudy, moldy, or fermented.

Eggs, fresh or hard-boiled: Discard if above 40°F over 2 hours.

Hard cheeses, butter, margarine: Generally safe unrefrigerated if well-wrapped, but discard if mold or rancid odor develops.

Fresh fruits and vegetables: Generally safe unrefrigerated until power returns, but discard if mold, yeasty odor, or slimy texture develops.

Fresh meats and poultry: Discard if above 40°F over 2 hours.

Lunch meats/hot dogs: Discard if above 40°F over 2 hours.

Mayonnaise (opened): Discard if above 40°F over 2 hours.

Opened containers of jelly, jam, mustard, ketchup, pickles and olives: Safe unrefrigerated until power returns.

Purifying Water with Chemicals

Any of these chemical treatments will purify water:

Chlorine bleach. Before using, be sure hypochlorite is the only active ingredient in the bleach. Do not use bleach that contains soap. Mix the bleach thoroughly in the water and let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water doesn't have a slight chlorine odor, repeat the dose and let the water stand for an additional 15 minutes.

Iodine. The iodine should be 2% United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) strength. Add 20 drops per gallon of clear water and 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.

Water purification tablets. These tablets are available at drug stores. Follow the manufacturer's instructions.