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*Safety Preparedness*

Source of Recipe

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List of Ingredients

Storms may cause conditions that affect the safety of your food. This factsheet contains helpful information for handling food after a tornado, flood, power outage or fire.

If you live in an area where storms and power outages are a problem, plan ahead to be prepared for proper food storage.


Plan ahead for ice. Buy some freezer-pak inserts and keep them frozen. Have a cooler handy.
Know in advance where to purchase dry ice.
Develop emergency freezer-sharing plans with friends, church, or school in another area.
Check on commercial locker storage availability.
Safe Food After a Tornado
Consider all water from wells, cisterns and other delivery systems in the disaster area unsafe until tested.
Check if the water supply was disrupted or contaminated.
Drink only approved or chlorinated water.
Check foods and discard any containing particles of glass or slivers of other debris.
Discard canned foods with broken seams, dents, leaks, etc.
Be alert for gas line leaks. If you smell gas, do not try to cook. Open all windows and doors, turn off the main gas valve at the meter and leave the house immediately.
Safe Food After a Power Outage
In emergency conditions, the following foods should keep at room temperature (about 68-72° F) a few days. Discard anything that turns moldy or has an unusual odor or look.

Butter, margarine
Fresh fruits and vegetables
Dried fruits and coconut
Open jars of peanut butter, jelly, relish, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup and olives
Hard and processed cheeses
Fruit juices
Fresh herbs and spices
Fruit pies
Discard the following foods if kept over 2 hours at above 40° F

Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood
Milk/cream, yogurt, soft cheese
Cooked pasta, pasta salads
Custard, chiffon or cheese pies
Fresh eggs, egg substitutes
Meat-topped pizza, lunchmeats
Casseroles, stews or soups
Mayonnaise and tartar sauce
Refrigerator cookie dough
Cream-filled pastries
Refreeze thawed foods that still contain ice crystals or feels cold (less than 32° F).
To prevent warm air from entering the refrigerator or freezer, open only when necessary.

If power will not be restored within one day, you might want to purchase a 50-pound block of dry ice. It should keep food safe (if there's no power) in a full 18-cubic foot freezer for at least 2 days.

Dry ice registers -216° F, so wear gloves or use tongs when handling it. Wrap it in brown paper for longer storage and separate it from direct food contact with a piece of cardboard. Fill a partly empty freezer with crumpled newspaper to cut down on air currents which cause the dry ice to dissipate.


Safe Food After a Flood
Flood waters may carry silt, raw sewage, oil or chemical waste. If foods have been in contact with flood waters, use this chart to determine their safety.
DISCARD:

Meat, poultry, fish and eggs
Fresh produce
Preserves sealed with paraffin
Unopened jars with waxed cardboard seals such as mayonnaise and salad dressing
All foods in cardboard boxes, paper, foil, cellophane or cloth
Spices, seasonings and extracts
Home canned foods
Opened containers and packages
Flour, sugar, grain, coffee and other staples in canisters
Cans dented, leaking, bulging or rusted.
SAVE:
Undamaged canned goods and commercial glass jars of food are safe if you sanitize the containers before opening for use. Mark contents on can or jar lid with indelible ink. Remove labels. Paper can harbor dangerous bacteria. Then wash jars and cans in a strong detergent solution with a scrub brush.

Finally, immerse containers for 15 minutes in a solution of 2 teaspoons of chlorine bleach per quart of room temperature water. Air dry before opening.

Sanitize dishes and glassware the same way. To disinfect metal pans and utensils, boil them in water 10 minutes. Discard wooden spoons, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.

If in DOUBT, throw it OUT!


Safe Food After a Fire
Generally, saving food that's been in a fire is just not a good idea. Food that's been exposed to fire can be compromised by three factors — the heat of the fire, smoke fumes and chemicals used to fight the fire.
Food in cans or jars may appear to be "okay", but if they've been close to the heat of the fire, they may no longer be edible. Why? Heat from the fire can activate food spoilage bacteria.

One of the most dangerous elements of a fire is sometimes not the fire itself, but toxic fumes released from burning materials. Those fumes can kill. They can also contaminate food.

Any type of food stored in permeable packaging — cardboard, plastic wrap, etc. — should be thrown away. Toxic fumes can penetrate the packaging and contaminate the food. Also discard any raw foods stored outside the refrigerator, like potatoes or fruit, which could be contaminated by fumes.

Food that's stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. We think of the refrigerator seal as air-tight, but it's usually not. Fumes can get inside. If food from your refrigerator has an off-flavor or smell when it's prepared, throw it away.

Chemicals used to fight fires also contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. Foods that are exposed to chemicals should be thrown away. The chemicals cannot be washed off the food. This includes foods stored at room temperature, like fruits and vegetables, as well as foods stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles.

Canned goods (commercial and home canned) and cookware exposed to chemicals can be decontaminated. Wash in strong detergent solution and then dip in a chlorine bleach solution (2 teaspoons bleach per quart of water) for 15 minutes.

The National Safety Council suggests these ideas to help families be prepared for emergencies:

Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your home and car.
Store medications, cleaning agents and dangerous chemical out of the reach of children.

Keep a fire extinguisher near the furnace, in the garage and anywhere a fire might start. Make sure everyone knows how to use them.
Never leave a candle burning when you leave the home or are sleeping.

Use space heaters correctly. Make sure they shut off when tipped over.

Install smoke, gas and carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping area in you home. Change the batteries regularly.

Make sure family members know how to shut off utilities and post numbers for gas, water and electricity providers.
Create and practice a home emergency/escape plan. Determine a meeting place where your family can meet if you are forced to leave your home.

Keep a bag or container stocked with cash, nonperishable food and water (3 day supply for each family member), battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid kit, extra eyeglasses, prescription drugs, change of clothes and sturdy shoes, keys, pet supplies and blanket or sleeping bag. Make sure all family members know where the bag or container is kept.

These summer outdoor safety tips are recommended by the Electrical Safety Foundation International:

Electric-powered mowers should not be used on wet grass.
Inspect power tools and electric lawn equipment before each use for frayed power cords, broken plugs and cracked or broken housings.

When using tools or extension cords outdoors, make sure they are marked for outdoor use. Unplug all portable power tools when not in use. Do not leave a power tool unattended even for a brief period of time.

Never use electrically operated power tools in the rain or in wet conditions.

Metal ladders conduct electricity. Watch out for overhead wires and power lines.

Never remove guards from power tools or lawn products.
Outdoor receptacles should be protected with ground fault circuit interrupters.

Read and follow the manufactures' instruction when using any product powered by electricity.

Be prepared for an emergency. Take the time to prepare your home and family by using safety precautions and knowing how to handle emergency situations



Find out the risks: Individuals can talk with local law enforcement or emergency managers to find out what are the most likely risks in their communities.

Prepare an emergency supplies kit: In major disasters, a person or family may need to survive without basic public services, such as water and/or electricity, for up to 72 hours before responders can help. The type of supply kit a person prepares should be based on the most likely risks and the seasonal needs.

Make a family communication plan: Family members are often separated when disasters happen. Long-distance relatives will be concerned. Both of these points mean a communication plan will help calm nerves and maybe even save lives. A communication plan doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to provide ways for family members to communicate.

The Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross suggest the following six basic supplies in your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special items.

Store water in plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles or food quality containers. Store one gallon of water person per day. Plan for a three-day supply.
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
Prepare a first aid kit for your home and car.
Include on complete change of clothing and footwear per person and blankets or sleeping bags.
Tools and supplies include paper products, battery operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries, pliers, tape, paper, non electric can opener etc. Sanitation items are also necessary.
Special items include things for people with special needs such as baby items and medicines. Talk to your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications. Games and books for entertainment can also be included.
Keep important family documents in a waterproof portable container. These include your will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization record, bank account numbers, inventory of valuable household goods and important telephone number and family records (birth, marriage, death certificates, etc.). It is fine to store these items in a safety deposit box.

To develop a family communication and disaster plan meet with your family and discuss the type of disasters that could occur and how to respond. Plan how your family with stay in contact if separated by disaster. Finally practice your plan.

Containers for a kit should be easy-to-carry such as a large covered trash or storage container, a duffle bag or a suitcase. Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Rotate your stored water and food supply every six months, so it stays fresh. Check your kit at least once a year and replace batteries and update your family needs.

Be prepared as disaster can happen anytime and anywhere.



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