Disaster Preparedness: Power Outage

A power outage emergency can be caused by many — fires, winter storms, brown outs, floods, and wind damage... so many things can interrupt the flow of electricity to your home. Whatever the cause, a power outage is easier to get through when you're prepared, and being prepared means having emergency kits on hand, ready to use the moment they're needed.

One of the most serious side effects of a power outage in the house is that the refrigerator will no longer work and the food inside it will quickly spoil. If the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer.

A Power Outage Emergency — If a power outage lasts for longer than 2 hours, follow the guidelines below:

For the Freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it.

For the Refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Inexpensive Styrofoam coolers are fine for this purpose.

Use a food thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Additionally, power outage may affect water purification systems, and they may not be functioning properly. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water.

Considering the refrigerator is where most people keep the bulk of their food, it makes sense to have a backup food supply in case the power goes out for an extended period of time. Food Insurance kits and packages ensure safe food and clean drinking water until the power comes back on.

Follow these basic steps to develop your family disaster preparedness plan:

1. Gather information about hazards in your area. Find out how susceptible to severe winter storms your area is and how you should respond. Learn your community's warning signals and evacuation plans.
2. Meet with your family to create a disaster preparedness plan and make sure it includes emergency kits for the whole family. Discuss the information you've gathered. Choose a place outside your home to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose a friend or relative who lives out-of-state as your "family check-in contact"
3. Implement your disaster preparedness plan:
   • Post emergency telephone numbers by phones.
   • Inspect your home for potential hazards such as items that can move, fall break or catch fire, and correct them.
   • Install safety features such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and instruct others how to use them properly.
   • Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local emergency medical services number.
   • Keep emergency kits such as FoodInsurance.com's The Essentials kit in your home with enough supplies for each member of your family for two weeks.
   • Keep a disaster preparedness response kit with items you may need in case of evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. FoodInsurance.com makes it easy with the Emergency Plus kit!
   • Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
   • Keep a smaller disaster preparedness emergency kit in the trunk of your car.
4. Practice and maintain your plan:
   • Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.
   • Make sure everyone knows where to find your family's emergency kits.
   • Test your smoke detectors monthly.
   • Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer's recommendations.
   • Replace spare batteries as required.
   • Conduct periodic drills to make sure you are prepared in case of an actual emergency.

With preparation, and with emergency kits from FoodInsurance.com, you and your family will be prepared for a prolonged power outage emergency. Don't wait—put your disaster preparedness plan into effect before it's too late.