05 Nov 2008
SIMCOE COUNTY – The health unit is cautioning residents of Penetanguishene to monitor their home refrigerators and freezers during a planned power outage this Saturday, to ensure that perishable food items have been kept cold.
Barrie Hydro, which serves the community, has announced plans to cut the power from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in an area affecting roughly 2,400 customers.
Residents in the area will need to take extra precautions to keep perishables such as meats, milk, poultry, eggs and leftovers at a safe temperature for the duration of the power outage.
Most household refrigerators will maintain safe temperatures for foods for four to six hours as long as the door is kept closed. Ice bags and freezer packs can be used to help keep temperatures cooler for longer. Residents should also check that refrigerators and freezers resume normal operation when power is restored.
Any perishable foods that increase to temperatures above 4° C (40 F) for more than two hours may become unsafe, and should be discarded.
Municipal drinking supply will not be affected, as backup power is available. However, residents who have private wells and have been without power, and who have private treatment systems for their drinking water, should ensure their system is running properly once the power is restored. Before drinking the water, flush all lines letting the water run for two minutes.
More detailed information about managing food and water during the power outage can be found in the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
<< Back to Media Releases
