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Our weekly news column bringing the most current, non-biased health
information to the consumer. |
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October 6, 2009 |
A Publication of QVHD |
HELP! The Power Is Out!
By: V. Deborah Culligan, RN, MPH,
Deputy Director QVHD
It is hurricane season
which will be followed by winter storm season. You have been told
numerous times through this column and other media, to “prepare” for bad
weather. Most people ignore this suggestion and at the last minute,
panic about household supplies. While we can never fully prepare for
unknown events and their unanticipated twists and turns, we can take
several actions that may lessen our burden and suffering should a severe
storm or other event (like pandemic flu) affect our ability to go about
our day-to-day usual activities. We need to use the calm before the
storm to prepare .
One of the biggest concerns (and questions we receive following a major
storm) is about power outages and food safety. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, has developed an
excellent brochure, “A Consumer's Guide to
Food Safety: Severe Storms and Hurricanes,” which discusses this topic.
It provides step- by-step preparation before a storm and steps to follow
after a weather emergency. It provides information on how to determine
what food to save and what food to discard due to loss or power (high
temperatures) or exposure to flood waters. It teaches you how to salvage
all-metal cans and food in pouches. It discusses contaminated drinking
water and how to purify it. There is also a section on removing odors
from refrigerators and freezers. Last, there are hot-lines for you to
call and web-based resources.
One of the most critical items you can own for determining the safety of
your food following a power outage (regardless of the cause) is an
appliance thermometer for your refrigerator and freezer! This single
item will help you to determine what foods to discard. One thing you do
not want to do following a power outage is to taste a food to determine
its safety. While some spoiled foods may be obvious (bad odor or mold)
bacteria in food is not visible and may not cause an odor or bad taste
in early phases (or it may never develop these signs.)
District residents (Bethany, Hamden , North Haven and Woodbridge ) who
would like a free copy of this excellent brochure, can call QVHD,
248-4528 or request on line, www.qvhd.org
. There are several websites that you can visit for more information.
They include: www.fsis.usda.gov;
www.cdc.gov;
www.fema.gov;
www.redcross.org; and
www.ready.gov.
| An Ounce of Prevention is a
publication of the Quinnipiack Valley Health District, located at
1151 Hartford Turnpike, North Haven, CT 06473. Telephone:
248-4528. An Ounce of Prevention is
written by V. Deborah Culligan. The articles are published in the following local newspapers, The Advisor &
Beth-Wood News.
The content is provided as health education and
information to help you make health decisions. It is not intended to
be legal or medical advice, or substitute for recommendations made
by your health care provider. Address all comments to the district
office. |
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