Health unit has advice on power-outage safety
By Cecilia Nasmith
With power still out in sections of its coverage area, the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit urges caution when it comes to water and food safety, with some good advice from Manager of Health Protection Bernie Mayer.
“When it comes to food safety during a power outage, the best advice is: if in doubt about the safety of food, throw it out,” Mayer stated in the press release.
That goes for homes and businesses. In the latter case, where there is no adequate back-up generators to operate refrigeration, ventilation, water-treatment equipment, water and sewage-system pumps and other essential equipment, the business must remain closed until power is restored. And any food items that were stored in coolers or fridges that were not working for an extended period during the power outage should not be sold to the public, but disposed of safely.
For residents in their homes and cottages:
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cooler temperature inside as long as possible. If kept shut, a refrigerator without power can keep food cold for 12 to 24 hours, after which food begins to spoil and becomes unsafe to eat. The food likeliest to spoil – dairy and meat products – should be thrown out to prevent illness, as should any food items that are discoloured or foul-smelling.
Freezers kept shut can typically keep food frozen for one to two days. After that, it is important to check any food. Any item that has been at room temperature for more than two hours should be thrown out. Partially thawed frozen food can be safely refrozen, though its quality may be affected.
If possible, add bags of ice to the fridge and freezer to keep temperatures cooler if the power is out for a longer period. You may also consider transferring easily-spoiled items to a cooler with ice, being sure to replace the ice frequently to keep the food at – ideally – 4 degrees C or 40 degrees F
Play it safe and throw out any food you think may have spoiled. Eating unsafe foods may cause food-borne illness.
Mayer added some advice that is important for people who rely on a well for their drinking water.
Most residences on well water rely on an electrical pump to move it into the home. Power may also be needed for certain water-treatment systems (such as ultraviolet light). A power outage will impact these systems, meaning no water is available. In such a case, people are encouraged to use bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and other activities that involve the consumption of water.
When power is restored, ensure that the water-treatment system is working. Run the water for about five minutes before using it to flush out the water lines in order to remove any untreated water that may be in the pipes.
It is also advisable to get your well water tested as soon as possible after a power outage to ensure it is safe for drinking.
Special consideration is also in order for those on private septic systems, as some on-site septic systems use pumps that run on electricity in order to move waste through the system and into the leaching bed or treatment unit. If you're still able to use water in your home, remember that septic and pump tanks will continue to fill with waste water – and if they get too full, the effluent could back up into the home. Limit water use until power is restored.
As for pools and hot tubs, a power outage can impact the recirculation systems, affecting their operation and safety. Avoid using pools and hot tubs during a power outage. Once power is restored, contact a credible recreational water supplier for more information if needed.
Finally, the health unit offers other safety tips for an extended power outage.
Check on older relatives and neighbours to be sure they are okay while the power is off.
Do not use camp stoves, lanterns or barbecues indoors – they pose a safety risk from carbon-monoxide poisoning.
If using a portable generator, ensure that it is only used outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from windows and fresh-air intakes. You should not connect a generator to your electrical panel unless is has previously been installed by a qualified electrician.
