Food Safety During a Power Outage

Consumer Food Safety at Home

Overview

During a power outage, you may not be able to keep your refrigerator or cooking appliances running. If food is not properly stored at the correct temperature or fully cooked, you may be at greater risk for foodborne illness. Ensuring your food is safely stored in the event of power outage is the first step to emergency food safety.

If the Power Goes Out

If the Power Goes Out

If the power goes out, follow these tips to keep food safe:

  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can.
  • Food will stay cold ≈4 hours with the door closed.
  • A full freezer holds its temperature ≈48 hours (24 if half full).
  • Use dry ice, gel packs or frozen containers of water to keep the temperature low.

For more information about storing food during a power outage, visit Food Safety During a Power Outage on the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) website.

Food Establishments

For information about keeping food safe at food establishments, please see Power Outage at a Food Establishment – Food Safety Guidance.