How to practice food safety during a power outage

SIMPSON COUNTY, Ky. – Simpson County Emergency Management is sharing how households can practice food safety when a power outage strikes.

According to emergency officials, one crucial step is keeping fridge doors closed, trapping cold air.

In addition, officials say a full freezer helps provide insulation, holding temperature longer, around 48 hours, while a half-full fridge can hold temperature for 24 hours.

As food is used out of the freezer, officials say to replace it with gallon jugs of water. Those water jugs will take up space to keep the freezer full, and the ice can be thawed to have safe water when needed.

Officials also say to use a thermometer, and if it reads 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below when power is restored, food is safe.

However, officials say to discard perishable food that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more or it is has a bad odor color or texture, even if it seems cold enough.