LEONARDTOWN, MD (September 23, 2023) – The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is reminding community members experiencing power outages due to Tropical Storm Ophelia to follow safety precautions to prevent injury and to avoid foodborne illness.
Protecting your family during a power outage:
- Take an inventory of the items you need that rely on electricity. Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs during the power outage.
- Prioritize your power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity and refrigerated medicines.
- Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows.
Extended power outages may cause food spoilage. Following these tips can help prevent food spoilage and illness:
- Keep a supply of nonperishable food and water stocked.
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep temperature for about 48 hours.
- Use coolers with ice if necessary.
- Monitor temperatures with a thermometer. Throw out food if the temperature in your fridge or freezer is 40 degrees or higher.
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
For more information about safety tips during a hurricane/tropical storm, visit smchd.org/hurricane. For food safety tips after a power outage, please visit www.foodsafety.gov/food-safety.
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