Agencies say plan ahead for winter outage

With the recent ice storm that devastated parts of the Midwest and the snow that is being forecasted to hit the local area this weekend, the possibility of power outages still exists.

The Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have issued warnings about food safety during a power outage.

All three stress the importance for residents to prepare ahead of time for the possibility of a power outage. According to the Red Cross, it is a good idea to have one or more coolers on hand, and if coolers should need to be purchased, the cheaper Styrofoam coolers work just as well as the more expensive plastic coolers.

It is also important for those who are in danger of a power outage to prepare by purchasing three days' worth of non-perishable food items and bottled water. In addition to the food items and the coolers, residents should make sure to have a digital quick-response thermometer on hand. Locating a place that dry ice can be purchased is also recommended by KDHE.

The Red Cross says that should a power outage occur, it is important that refrigerator and freezer doors remain closed. Opening the doors frequently only lets the cold air out. An unopened refrigerator can keep foods cold for at least a couple of hours, according to the Red Cross.

KDHE said the temperature in an unopened refrigerator may hold for up to six hours.

A freezer that is half-full will stay cold for up to 24 hours, according to the Red Cross. A full freezer will stay cold for about 48 hours.

Both agencies stress the importance of keeping perishable foods at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. A digital quick-response thermometer can be used to check the temperatures of food items.

Should the power outage last for more than two to four hours, the Red Cross advises outage victims to utilize a cooler to pack refrigerated milk, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers. It is a good idea to surround these items with ice. If the outage will be prolonged, freezer items should also be packed in a cooler with ice.

According to the USDA, www.fsis.usda.gov, residents who experience power outages should not store perishable items outside in the snow.

"Frozen food can thaw if it is exposed to the sun's rays even when the temperature is very cold. Refrigerated food may become too warm and foodborne bacteria could grow. The outside temperature could vary hour by hour, and the temperature outside will not protect refrigerated and frozen food. Additionally, perishable items could be exposed to unsanitary conditions or to animals. Animals may harbor bacteria or disease; never consume food that has come in contact with an animal. Rather than putting the food outside, consider taking advantage of the cold temperatures by making ice. Fill buckets, empty milk cartons or cans with water and leave them outside to freeze. Then put the homemade ice in your refrigerator, freezer, or coolers," the statement said.

According to the Red Cross, if freezer food has ice crystals on it and its temperature is not above 40 degree Fahrenheit after power has been restored, it is probably safe to refreeze the items. Perishable foods that are above 40 degrees for more than two hours may not be safe to eat. The Red Cross has provided a chart that lists individual food items with instructions that explain whether these foods should be discarded, refrozen or refrigerated after a power outage. The chart can be found in its entirety at www.redcross.org.

KDHE offers several tips for residents that may be useful after the power has been restored. Potentially hazardous food that may have been stored at an inappropriate temperature must be identified by checking the internal temperatures of the food. Food that is deemed unsafe should be discarded immediately. The information said that it is better to throw the food out if unsure of its safety than to keep it.