Power Outages
Power outages, especially in the summer months, can create difficult situations for residents and businesses. If the power goes out, here are some helpful tips:
● If you are the owner or manager of a food service establishment (restaurant, convenience store, grocery store or food vendor), daycare, or public pool, please notify Ledge Light Health District immediately at 860-448-4882 ext 0 and ask for a Sanitarian (after hours contact Groton Dispatch at 860-441-6748). Food service establishments, daycares, and public pools will likely need to be closed until power can be restored.
● Make sure to unplug any non-essential devices (TVs, battery chargers or other electronic devices). DO NOT unplug refrigerators, freezers, HVAC systems or furnaces!
● Ensure all refrigerators and freezers are kept closed. A tightly shut refrigerator can keep the food at or below 45 ºF degrees for about 4 hours and a freezer can keep food frozen for up to 2 days (if fully stocked).
● Any frozen food that that thaws but remains at less than 45 ºF degrees can be cooked and eaten. Food above 45 ºF should be thrown out. In general: don’t re-freeze frozen food if it has been thawed.
● Be especially careful with eggs and egg products, milk and milk products, meat, fish, poultry and shellfish. If you have any doubt concerning food items, they should be discarded – remember – when in doubt, throw it out!
● If your home or business is served by a private well, sump pump, and/or sewage pump, these items will likely be non-functional. Any food service, daycare, public pool, or cosmetology facility served by private wells will need to close and notify the Ledge Light Health District (see above). In preparation, private homes should make sure to have an emergency preparedness kit with at least 1 gallon per person per day of fresh, sealed water for drinking and personal needs. Click here for more information on water from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
● Don’t use charcoal grills indoors for heating and cooking, and don’t use gas stoves as a source of heat. Either one can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. A fireplace is safe to use for heat and cooking if it is properly vented to the outside. In addition, check to see if water or a power outage has affected your furnace and assure that it is venting properly and the pilot light is on.
Knowing what to do and who to contact when the lights are still on will put you ahead of the game.
For further information or questions call 860-448-4882 press 0 and ask to speak with a Sanitarian.
This icon indicates that the link is a PDF file which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view & print the file.
