Hazardous Weather Can Impact Food and Water Safety
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2013
Contact
Jim Roberts,Director of Environmental Health
(217) 531-2909
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Hazardous Weather Can Impact Food and Water Safety
Simple Steps Can Help Keep You Safe
Champaign, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) and the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency are encouraging everyone impacted by the recent hazardous weather to take food and water safety precautions. Power outages that last longer than two hours may create food safety issues. If the power is out for longer than two hours, the food in your refrigerator and freezer may not be safe to consume. Citizens should use the following guidelines if the power is out longer than two hours:
- FROZEN FOOD:
- A freezer that is half full should hold food safely for up to 24 hours o A full freezer should hold food safely for up to 48 hours o Avoid opening the freezer door during a power outage
- Throw away any food that has a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above
- REFRIGERATED FOOD:
- Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice
- Throw away any food that has a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above
When the power goes out, water purification systems may not be functioning fully. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled or treated water. Questionable water can be treated with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets or unscented household chlorine bleach (1/8 teaspoon per gallon of water).
For more information about emergency preparedness visit: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.asp or CUPHD at www.c-uphd.org.
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