Some tips on how to safely handle, store and dispose of food and waste during winter storms
Contain garbage
Weather conditions have delayed regular garbage pick-up. Until your provider is able to resume operations, store excess garbage securely in garbage bags and cans with lids to keep out of the reach of animals. Compact trash as much as possible so it will fit in the garbage cans. Do not burn garbage.
Store and handle food safely
Loss of power can quickly impact your food storage and ability to prepare meals. Don’t let your meals make you sick during an outage.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain temperature.
Be sure to thoroughly cook any meat, fish or eggs. If they have been stored at a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more, discard them. When in doubt, throw it out.
Do not store food outside, even in the winter, to keep it cold. Frozen food can thaw if the sun hits it, and the temperature outside is variable. Storing food outside can also expose it to unsanitary conditions or animals. Instead of storing food outside, consider using the low temperatures to make ice by filling buckets or empty cans with water and leaving them outside to freeze. The ice can be used to help keep food cool in your refrigerator or freezer.