FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2007
Contact:
Safety Urged During Power Outages
Kathie Osterman, Communications and Legislative Services, 402-423-0721Lincoln – People affected by the power outages caused by the recent snow storm should play it safe, according to the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, because food safety and carbon monoxide poisoning are serious concerns.
Food Safety during a power outage
If the power is out for longer than 2 hours:
- For the Freezer Section: A full freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours.
- For the 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.
- If you decide to place food outside in the cold, make sure the food is in a critter-safe container.
- Use a digital quick-response thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your refrigerator or freezer may be without power for a long period:
- Divide your frozen foods among friends’ freezers if they have electricity;
- Use dry ice – 25 pounds of dry ice will keep a 10-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for 3-4 days. (Exercise care when handling dry ice, because it freezes everything it touches. Wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.)
Thawed foods can usually be eaten or refrozen if they are still "refrigerator cold," or if they still contain ice crystals. To be safe, remember, "When in doubt, throw it out." Discard any food that has been at room temperature for two or more hours, and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
When power outages occur during emergencies such as winter storms, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.
CO is found in combustion fumes, which are produced by small gasoline engines, stoves, generators, lanterns and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. 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 – or even outside near an open window.
Exposure to CO can cause loss of consciousness and death. The most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.
Important CO poisoning prevention tips include:
- Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home.
- Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern or portable camping stove inside a home or camper.
- Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented. Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.
- Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine outside an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
- Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
- If conditions are too hot or too cold, seek shelter with friends or at a community shelter.
- If CO poisoning is suspected, consult a health care professional right away.
HHSS also reiterated safety around downed power lines, stressing they should be treated as if they are still carrying power. People should stay away from downed lines if they are on foot. Motorists are warned to stay off highways where lines have fallen, as it is not safe to drive over downed power lines.
Citizens can contact their local health department for additional information on safety precautions. Additional information can also be found on the HHSS Web site at www.hhss.ne.gov or at the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
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