Be prepared when bad weather strikes

The early round of wintry weather in our area was a reminder of the need to plan ahead to handle emergencies that may occur without much warning in our state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers some tips to help people prepare for bad weather.

Losing electrical power quickly disrupts our way of life. Food safety is always a concern when the electricity goes off. If the power is out for less than 2 hours, then the food in the refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume.

When power is out longer than 2 hours, follow these guidelines:

* 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.

* 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 digital quick-response thermometer to check the temperature of food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food tht has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

* To decide what foods can be refrozen when the power comes back on, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service's web page at www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/pofeature.htm. The lists can be printed off and filed away for later use. Or, tape it to your refrigerator or freezer or place in a ziplock bag in the appliance so the information will be handy when needed.

When power goes out, water purification systems may not be functioning fully. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state or local health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water. Here are some general rules about using water.

* Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice, or make baby formula. If possible, use baby formula that does not need to have water added. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash your hands.

* Boiling water, when practical, is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is another concern with a power outage. Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper. Do not use indoors, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Vents and flues need to be kept free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines. Every home should have at least one working carbon monoxide detector. The detector's batteries should be checked twice annually, at the same time smoke detector batteries are checked.

Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home. And never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.

CDC recommends that people make an emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit. This kit should include enough water, dried and canned food, and emergency supplies such as flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, prescription medicines, and a digital thermometer to last at least 3 days. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches to minimize the risk of fire.