As high winds have led to power outages in parts of Colorado, state health officials are advising residents on how to keep food safe during these disruptions. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) shared guidelines to help prevent foodborne illness when electricity is lost.
“When outages happen, people are already dealing with enough. These simple food safety steps are meant to help reduce one more risk, so no one has to deal with a preventable illness on top of everything else,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, deputy chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Officials explained that without power, refrigerators and freezers can quickly reach temperatures where bacteria may grow. Residents are urged to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. According to CDPHE, an unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours, while a full freezer maintains its temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if half full). If an outage is expected to last longer than four hours, using coolers with ice is recommended.
Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, cooked leftovers, and cut fruits or vegetables should be kept at 40°F or below. If the power has been out for four hours or more and perishable items were not kept cold with ice or in a cooler, those foods should be discarded even if they appear normal. Officials caution that bacteria can be present without noticeable signs.
High winds not only cause outages but also create hazardous conditions in communities. Residents are encouraged to follow local guidance and check on neighbors who may need additional support during extended outages. Public health agencies continue working with emergency management teams and utility companies to monitor impacts and provide timely updates.
For further details on keeping food safe after a disaster or emergency, information is available from the CDC’s Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html.
