Updated at 6:01 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Food-handling, electrical tips can help keep you safe
Advertiser Staff
Here are tips, provided by Hawaiian Electric Co., to keep in mind if you are dealing with an extended electrical failure.
The tips address everything from food safety to handling portable electric generators.
Food safety
During a power outage, a fully-stocked free-standing freezer will keep most of your foods frozen for up to 72 hours — if you don't open the door.
The freezer section of a refrigerator-freezer will keep most of your foods frozen 10 to 24 hours.
If power is out longer than anticipated, put some dry ice in the freezer. Always use gloves or tongs when handling it. Dry ice can be placed directly on top of your foods. Dry ice cools foods below it.
After power is restored, refreeze most food items that still have ice crystals remaining, but try to consume these foods as soon as possible.
After power is restored check and immediately cook foods that have thawed out, but are still cold. Dispose of any food that has an off color or odd odor, or perishable foods that have warmed to room temperature for an unknown length of time.
Butter, margarine, and hard cheeses are safe unless mold or rancid odors develop.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are safe as long as they aren't mushy or slimy.
Eggs will be safe for several days if the shells have no cracks.
Fresh meat, poultry, luncheon meats or hot-dogs should be discarded if allowed to warm to room temperature for more than two hours.
Milk and cream probably will sour after eight hours without refrigeration.
Vinegar and oil salad dressings, jellies, jams, mustard, pickles, and olives may be safely kept un-refrigerated unless they have been contaminated by poultry or meat juices.
When in doubt, throw it out.
Portable generators
As a general rule, don't plug the generator into your household electrical outlets.
Improper use of generators can cause electricity to backflow into power lines, endangering Hawaiian Electric workers or possibly even neighbors served by the same power line.
Instead:
Plug your equipment or appliance directly into the generator; make sure the wattage requirements of the appliance don't exceed the capacity of your generator or extension cord.
Provide adequate ventilation for exhaust and cooling.
Store reserve fuel in a safe place away from the generator or any other equipment that might ignite the fuel; use containers designed for fuel storage.
Avoid operating generators in rain, near swimming pools, sprinkler systems or with wet hands, feet or clothing.
Before an outage
If someone depends on electric-powered, life-sustaining medical equipment, recheck backup alternatives.
Turn off and unplug unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics that could be damaged by a power surge.
Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest setting. If power fails, keep the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep food fresher longer. Be sure to turn the settings back to normal after the storm passes.
If power goes out and a portable generator is used, be sure it is in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside. Don't plug the generator directly to household electrical outlets. Instead, plug appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty extension cords.
High-wind precautions
The city Department of Emergency Management urges residents to secure loose objects outdoors that may blow about in high winds, and to avoid outdoor activity.
Other precautions suggested by Emergency Management:
Trim dead wood, and weak and overhanging branches.
Have flashlights, battery-operated radio and spare batteries on hand.
Drivers of large trucks and SUVs should be prepared for sudden gusts that could cause momentary loss of control of the vehicle.
Listen for safety instructions from emergency management and the weather service.
In the case of a high-wind-related emergency, call 911.
Source: Hawaiian Electric Co., city Department of Emergency Management.
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