Mangano Announces Emergency Information On How To Protect Your Food During A Power Failure

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced emergency information on how to protect your food during a power failure. If the power failure is of short duration, it is not likely that any of the food will be affected and no special precautions are necessary. However, if it can be anticipated that the electricity will be off for more than a few hours, the following steps may be taken to protect your food from spoiling:

1)Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed. Generally safe temperatures will be maintained for 5-6 hours in the refrigerator and for 24 hours or more in the freezer.

2) If possible, use ice or dry ice to maintain safe temperatures. Look in the yellow pages under dry ice for sources and use gloves when handling it. Refrigeration trucks can be rented or space in refrigerator storage facilities can be leased.

3) Keep the food out of the sunlight and protect it from contamination and animals by placing it in suitable containers. If frozen food does defrost, cook it as soon as possible. Cooked food can then be refrozen.

If you think food may be spoiled, the best policy is to throw it out. Any inquiries regarding the protection of food can be directed to the Health Department at 227-9717.