South Carolina is expected to get hit by a hurricane this weekend, so it’s important to remember tips to keep your family safe. As a Charleston personal injury lawyer , I came across these great food safety tips, according to news reports .
- Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator or coolers in case power is lost. Frozen gel packs also work in coolers.
- Freeze refrigerated leftovers, milk, fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately to keep them at a safe temperature longer.
- Group food together in the freezer, it will stay cold longer.
- Discard refrigerated, perishable meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after 4 hours without power.
- Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below when checked with a food thermometer.
- Never taste a food to determine its safety!
- Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container as well as wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers if there is any chance that they have come into contact with flood water.
- Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water.
- Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety.
As a Charleston personal injury lawyer , I hope everyone stays safe this weekend.