As people continue the cleanup from Saturday’s storms waiting for power to come back on, the health unit is reminding us that some stored foods may not be safe to eat.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit says homes and food businesses without backup generators should toss any meat, dairy, and leftovers because at this point they are not safe to consume.
Food in the freezer can be saved by keeping the door shut. As long as frozen food remains frozen or below 4oC. It can be cooked once the power comes back on.
As for water, wells that rely on treatment systems may not be working, so users should find an alternate source of water or boil water before use (boil for one minute then cool).
When the power’s back on, make sure the treatment system is working properly. Flush the lines and take a sample. When the results confirm it is working you can resume drinking water.
Drinking Water Precautions – Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit
You can also visit the health unit’s emergency preparedness page for more information on dealing with power outages at the link below.
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