What to do when the power goes out this winter

Booth Features By Booth Features
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on February 02, 2011 at 4:22 PM, updated February 02, 2011 at 4:38 PM
tea kettle.jpgView full sizeIf necessary, boil water before washing dishes, cooking or brushing your teeth to avoid consuming contaminated water during a power outage.
(Metro Creative) — Winter might be a wonderland to some, but for those who prefer a warm, sandy beach over a ski slope, winter is no walk in the park. It's even worse when a winter storm hits and suddenly everything goes dark.

Power outages are impossible to predict. When a power outage occurs, it can last anywhere from a few minutes to several days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer the following guidelines for making it through a power outage safe and sound.


In general, if the refrigerator or freezer loses power for two hours or less, then the food inside will be safe to consume. However, it still helps to keep the keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.

When the power is out for longer than two hours, different rules apply. If the freezer is half full, food will be safe to consume for 24 hours. If the freezer is full, then the food will be safe for 48 hours.

Items in the refrigerator should be stored in a cooler surrounded by ice. Milk, additional dairy products, meat, fish, gravy and anything that can spoil should all be packed in a cooler of ice if the power is out for more than two hours. When cooking, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of food before cooking and eating. Any food with a temperature greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded.


The water supply might also be affected during a power outage. It's always a good idea to keep bottled water on hand in the event of a power outage to avoid consuming any contaminated water, which might be a byproduct of water purification systems not fully functioning because of the power outage.

Avoid using potentially contaminated water when doing the dishes, brushing your teeth or preparing food. For parents of young children, it helps to have formula on hand that does not require the addition of water.

If tap water must be used, bring the water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. That's enough time to kill most organisms, including harmful bacteria and parasites.

Hypothermia Prevention

While most regions are quick to restore power, especially harsh storms might make it difficult to restore power right away. An extended power outage could cause chronic hypothermia, which occurs from ongoing exposure to cold indoor temperatures.

The elderly are especially susceptible to chronic hypothermia during a power outage, but there are steps everyone can take to stay safe.

Family members with elderly relatives who live alone should make every effort to contact those relatives and ensure everything is alright. Make sure the elderly or the ill have adequate food, clothing, shelter and sources of heat. If necessary, insist elderly or ill friends and family stay over until the power comes back on.

In poorly heated rooms, be sure there are enough blankets for everyone. And wear layers of clothing as well as a hat, even when indoors.

It also helps to stay as active as possible, as physical activity raises body temperature.

For more information on safely making it through a power outage, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at