If there is a power outage, refrigerator and freezer thermometers will indicate the internal temperature of the appliances to help you determine if the stored food is safe. Saving food after a power outage . Have a cooler with ice ready ahead of time to keep refrigerated food cold if you know that the power will be out for more than 4 hours. This left many residents wondering, as the power comes back on, do I have to throw out all my food after a power outage? Clean Out Your Refrigerator. Avoid opening the fridge and freezer doors unless you need to. Those of us in the Midwest know that spring storms can bring power outages. What food should be thrown out after a power outage? This includes knowing the proper food safety precautions to take before, during, and after a power outage — and being prepared to safely handle food and water in the event that flooding occurs. Is food in the refrigerator safe during a power outage? Are condiments safe after a power outage? Nova Scotia Power says it could be days before some customers have their electricity restored. Check these resources to know how to handle perishable food if the power goes out during a storm. -Freeze containers of water and gel packs to help keep food cold if the power goes out.-Move refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and other foods to the freezer so they will stay colder longer. Make sure you keep the … Williams said he ran out on Thursday. When freezers and refrigerators are off for several hours, whether it’s from a storm or accidental, the food safety rules about what to keep or toss are the same. For those who might experience a prolonged power outage, here are five steps the experts at Consumer Reports recommend to get you safely through …

1. Food safety during a power outage … Remember, your freezer food should still be fine, unless the outage lasted for a day or more. As long as the power is out no more than 4 hours, it should be safe. Feature Articles . “Dry ice could help, but the problem is that during a power outage, it is hard to come by,” said John Williams of Continental Carbonic Products Inc., the Folcroft company that provides the product in eastern Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, and Delaware. How long is food in a refrigerator or freezer safe without power? As of 3:49 p.m. AT on Sunday, 297,521 customers were still in the dark. Be prepared! Of course, the mantra in situations like this is usually "when in doubt, throw it out," but don't be afraid to use your nose, too. If the power outage lasted more than four hours, the perishable food in your fridge is no longer safe to eat, and you will have to throw it away before you forget. -Consider purchasing a generator to power any critical equipment during a power outage.