Is food safe after a power outage?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to wait out a storm, but the power was out for hours, and now you're unsure what to keep.

Everyday mishaps add up.

Causes & evidence

A closed fridge keeps food cold about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48. See food storage times.

What to do

1. Keep doors closed.
2. Toss perishables above 40°F over 2 hours.
3. When in doubt, throw it out.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: opening the fridge again and again to check. Each opening lets cold air out. Keep doors shut as much as possible. Check temperatures with a thermometer when power returns. Never taste food to decide if it's safe. Frozen food that still has ice crystals or is at 40°F or below can often be refrozen. Prepare ahead with frozen water bottles or gel packs, and a cooler. Write down what you threw out for insurance purposes. After the outage, toss any perishable food like meat, milk, eggs and leftovers that sat above 40°F for more than 2 hours. Keep a thermometer in both fridge and freezer so you can tell quickly.

Speed Man tip: Keep a thermometer inside.

Wrap-up: Closed. 4 hours. Doubt: toss.