PDHU issues tips for food and fire safety during outages

The Perth District Health Unit has some food and fire safety tips for anyone whose power is out.

If you’ve been without power for more than six hours you’ll need to throw out any perishable food that was in your refrigerator.

However you can keep food cold outside if the temperature is four degrees Celsius or less.

Your upright or chest freezer should keep food frozen for two days.

You’ll have to throw out any thawed food that has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours.

It can be refrozen if it still has ice crystals in it or feels fridge-cold.

If you get your water from a well and it’s been flooded the water could be contaminated.

Before using it for drinking or cooking you should bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute.

When it comes to heating never use gasoline, propane or charcoal-burning devices inside your home and never leave candles unattended.

For more information:

Call Health Line at 519-271-7600 ext 267 or 1-877-271-7348 ext 267