Food Safety During Power Outages

Get Ready: Perishable Food and Power Outages

With the possibility of extended power outages in multiple locations in California, there are several options for keeping refrigerated and frozen food safe if you don’t have a generator. Prep now to buy dry ice or ice blocks for your refrigerator; food will only stay cold for 4-6 hours once the power goes out. A full freezer will stay frozen about 2 days, as long as you keep it closed. Click here for suggestions from the USDA about preparing perishable food before the power goes out, during the power outage and when the power comes back on. You still have time to freeze some of your perishables, to crank down the temperature, and to fill your fridge and freezer with frozen water bottles. Click on the image to see the full-sized image and text.