Understanding Food Safety During Floods, Hurricanes And Power Outages
- Author Harvey Mcewan
- Published December 5, 2012
- Word count 646
There is no doubt that the weather is changing. With large storms and flooding previously affecting a small percentage of the world population, it is clear that the storms and flooding are becoming much more common and now affect a much greater percentage of the population.
With the majority believing direct correlation with climate change, or global warming. With the earth's temperature rising and causing the polar ice-caps to melt – sea levels are rising each year. Causing an unimaginable amount of damage.
But whether it is simply the earth's weather cycles that are unknown due to only having a minuscule amount of data from previous generations or climate change, one thing that is certain is being prepared. It is no longer possible to sit back and not worry about it. Having a plan in place is always recommended and vital to everyone's safety.
Considerations must be in place, with sandbags at the ready. All valuables removed from lower floors and this includes all electronics. Where possible generators can also be required. In order to maintain electricity for essential appliances such as fridges and freezers. Here' a list of requirements, that will ensure food safety is kept during these difficult times.
Preparing For Storms, Hurricanes And Flooding
One of the most important appliances to be kept working in an emergency is the fridge and freezer. Keeping food fresh is essential. Therefore ensure that you have access to thermometers within the fridge and freezer. The fridge should remain around 4 Celsius and the freezer around -15 to -20 Celsius.
In the event of a power outage the thermometers will provide accurate temperatures to ensure the food is safe to eat.
A great tip is to freeze as much water as possible in bottles and containers. If the power goes out, this supply of ice can be used to keep food cold in the freezer and fridge or coolers. Once melted it can also provide clean drinking water, something that could become scarce in certain emergencies or when water becomes contaminated. Of course it is always recommended to have a large supply of water at all times.
During flood conditions, here is a vital list of things to keep in mind regarding food safety:
-
Do not eat any food that has been in contact with flood water. Carefully pack and store food that the water will not be able to come into contact with.
-
Do not eat any food that are contained within cans or cardboard that have come into contact with flood water. Anything that appears damaged or exposed should also be thrown away.
-
Always remember to wash and sterilise cutlery, plates, pans and anything else that will be used with food.
Preparing For Power Outages
When there is a power outage, keeping food cold and frozen is vital. Nothing should go to waste when there could be a short supply of food in the local stores. If there is no available thermometer then it is considered safe for a fridge to remain at its temperature for up-to 4 hours without power. A freezer can retain its temperature for around 1-2 days without power. It is vital that during these times the doors are opened as little as possible.
If there is ice you can buy, use this to maintain the temperature within the fridge and freezers, or even coolers if required. If any frozen food has its temperature reduced for anything longer than 2 hours then throw this away. Even though it will appear safe to eat. Foods such as meat, milk and fish can all make someone ill if consumed days after being considered fresh.
Using a generator if possible is recommended. This will keep a reliable power source for many different appliances within the household. Although these can be expensive, whenever a storm or flood has been identified then plan ahead and rent a generator.
Harvey McEwan provides information and advice on a variety of areas to help everyone understand not only how generators work, but also providing suitable rent a generator option. View Harvey's other articles to find out more.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- The Transformative Power of Yamaigel’s Certified Gel Eye Masks
- Checking account with cell phone protection!
- Keeping Cool This Summer: Air Conditioning Installation Services in Milwaukee
- A DIY Guide to Fixing Your Garage Door (with a Call to Garage Door Magnolia When All Else Fails!)
- Can a Bent Garage Door Be Bent Back into Shape? Don't Panic, Call Kiki Garage Door!
- How Can I Tell If My Garage Door Opener Sensor Is Bad?
- Maximizing Profitability: The Economics Behind Customizable Design Assets
- Exploring the Hidden Gems of Si Racha, Thailand
- DIY vs. Professional Movers: Pros and Cons in 2024
- MK Web Celebrates Top Position in Bourne's Premier Web Design Rankings
- The Road to Sobriety: Understanding Substance Use Disorders
- MotorKote Ultimate 40/60 Synthetic Hyper Mix 5W-30
- Exploring Denver on a Dime: A Frugal Travel Guide
- Top 10 Ways Production Scheduling in Business Central Transforms Manufacturing
- Strength Training and it's Incredible Benefits for Fat Burning
- Enhancing Home Security with Aluminum Shutters: A Focus on Weatherwell Elite
- 5 Easy Ways to Make Oral Hygiene Fun for the Whole Family
- Transforming Plastic Extrusion Machines into Recycling Powerhouses
- Unraveling the Potential of Plastic Extrusion Machines
- The Rise of Plastic Recycling Machines: A Step Towards Sustainability
- Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream: OMG! Unreal!
- The Advantages of Using Professional Home Cleaners in Ilford
- 8 Compelling Reasons to Hire Professional Home Cleaners
- The 12 Steps Narcotics Anonymous Program To Recovery
- Send Money to Tanzania: Effortless Transfers with SafariRemit
- Stylish Savings: 10 Frugal Ways to Stay Fashionable in 2024
- Fly Cheap With FlightPapa To Any City
- How Collaborating with a Software Development Company Can Propel Your Business Forward
- A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Hair Transplant Method
- 15 Frugal Tips for a Memorable Wedding Day