American Red Cross provides power outage safety tips

THIS INFORMATION IS FROM A NEWS RELEASE SENT TO THE WWAY NEWS CHANNEL 3 NEWSROOM.

Hurricane Irene has left thousands of Cape Fear residents without power. If a power outage is 2 hours or less, you need not be concerned about losing your perishable foods. For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.

What should I do during a power outage?

Keep food as safe as possible.

ð Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours.

ð Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.

ð Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.

ð If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.

ð Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical equipment

ð Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.

ð Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out.

ð When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.

ð Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

ð Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

Using generators safely

ð When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.

ð If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.

What should I do when the power comes back on?

ð Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.

Throw out unsafe food.

ð Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!

ð Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.

ð If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.

ð If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer.

ð Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

ð Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

ð The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.

ð Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

ð If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.

ð Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

If your community experiences a disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well Web site available at www.redcross.org/safeandwell to let your family and friends know about your welfare.

For more information on how you can get better prepared for disasters such as hurricanes, visit www.CapeFearRedCross.org or contact the local Chapter at (910) 762-2683.