During an emergency power outage, how should food be stored?

Keeping refrigerator doors closed and monitoring temperatures during a power outage is essential for food safety. This approach minimizes the amount of time the refrigerator is opened, thereby retaining the cold air inside and helping maintain a stable temperature. Refrigerators can typically keep food safe for about four hours without power if the doors remain closed. Monitoring the temperature allows you to determine if food remains at safe levels; temperatures above 40°F can lead to bacterial growth and food spoilage.

Other options may compromise food safety. For instance, transferring food to an outdoor cooler can lead to exposure to outside temperatures that may not be safe depending on the weather conditions. Opening refrigerator doors occasionally can cause warm air to enter, thereby increasing the internal temperature and potentially risking food safety. Leaving food out at room temperature is also unsafe because it encourages rapid bacterial growth, making food potentially hazardous to consume.