Ensuring food safety during a power outage requires preparation before winter storms. Start by placing appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. The refrigerator should stay at 40°F or lower, and the freezer at 0°F or below. These thermometers help monitor temperatures if the power goes out.

Stock up on canned and non-perishable items like dried fruits, jerky, crackers, nut butter, snack bars, trail mix, and ready-to-eat canned foods. Include options suitable for infants, elderly family members, or those with special diets. Keep a can opener and utensils on hand, along with bottled water for drinking and rehydrating dried foods. Store pantry items in a cool, dry, dark place.

During an outage, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve cold air. For extended outages, use coolers with ice to maintain food temperatures or dry ice for freezers, handling it carefully with thick gloves in a ventilated space.

Discard foods that show color, odor, or texture changes, especially meat, dairy, eggs, and cut produce. If food has been above 40°F for more than four hours without another cooling method, it should be thrown out.

Visit FoodSafety.gov for detailed guidelines.