With hurricane season quickly approaching, many will begin preparing their households for severe weather conditions. Included in those weather preparations, federal government agencies recommend making ready a safe food and water supply which can be consumed even during a power outage. The following are some simple steps to be taken in preparation for severe weather conditions:
FOOD:
- Always maintain a supply of 3 days worth of canned goods which are stored above a height in danger of flooding.
- In the event of a power outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- A freezer unit can conserve foods at safe temperatures for up to 48 hours if left unopened. A refrigerator can only keep food safe for 4 hours if left closed.
- As a general rule, do not consume perishable food products after they have been held above 40°F for more than 2 hours. If in doubt, throw it out.
- Thoroughly wash countertops, dishes, and utensils and allow to air-dry.
WATER:
- Always keep a supply of bottled water stored above a height in danger of flooding. If any flooding has occurred, only drink the bottled water.
- If any flood water has reached the stored water, it may have become contaminated.
- If access to heat exists, boiling the water supply is one way to remove microbial contaminants.
- Water is essential to survival in the event of a natural disaster and special precaution should be taken to ensure a safe water supply for any length of time.
If you are in an area affected by severe weather and need more food and water safety information, contact the USDA at 1-888-674-6854, the FDA at 1-888-SAFEFOOD, or the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO.
