Explain procedures for handling food when there is no power.

When the power goes off

If the refrigerator or freezer stops working, keep the doors closed. If the refrigerator or freezer will be off for a long time, find another refrigerator for the food such as in a neighbor's home, a school, or a church. Some general rules about the shelf life of foods follow:

Refrigerated foods. During warm weather months, refrigerated foods will stay cold for four to six hours if the refrigerator door is not opened frequently. Open the door only to add bags of ice. If it is cold outside, refrigerated foods can stay cold for much longer depending on the temperature inside the home.

When the refrigerator is working again, check the temperature of the food to see if it is still 40°F or colder. Perishable foods which have been kept above 40°F for more than four hours should be thrown out.

Frozen foods. During warm weather months, foods in a full freezer will stay frozen for about two days. Foods in a half-full freezer will stay frozen for about one day. If it is cold outside, frozen foods can stay frozen for much longer depending in the temperature inside the home.

Cover the freezer with blankets, but be sure to keep the air vent uncovered. When the freezer is working again, check the foods inside to see if they are still frozen. Foods that still have ice crystals can be refrozen. These foods are safe to eat, but when thawed again they may be of poorer quality.

How to cook if the power goes out. For emergency cooking, use a fireplace (inside) or a charcoal grill or camp stove (outside only). Candle warmers, chafing dishes, and fondue pots can also be used to heat food. Canned food can be eaten right out of the can. Before heating food in a can, open the can and remove its label.

Additional information about disaster preparedness and response is available in the NC Cooperative Extension Disaster Handbook.  

Source:  Angela Fraser, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Food Safety Education Specialist. Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University

If you have questions, contact Dr. Angela Fraser, Associate Professor/Food Safety Education Specialist, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.

Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

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