Power outage checklist for the house and the fridge

A closed refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours, and a full freezer holds its temperature for about 48. Medicine, phones and medical devices need a plan made before the power drops.

Before an outage

• List everything that needs electricityStart with medical devices, then the refrigerator, the sump pump and the phones.
• Ask the medical provider about powered devices and refrigerated medicineAsk too how long each medicine can be kept at a higher temperature.
• Put a thermometer in the refrigerator and the freezerA thermometer shows whether food went above 40 degrees.
• Keep a flashlight for each personStore them where people sleep, with spare batteries.
• Charge a power bank for each phone
• Find out whether the home phone works in an outageIf it runs on a battery backup, find out how long the battery lasts.
• Keep food that won't spoil and water on hand
• Check that a carbon monoxide alarm works on each levelA generator or grill run too close to the house can fill it with carbon monoxide.

During an outage

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors shutEach opening lets cold out. Use coolers with ice if the outage runs long.
• Run a generator outdoors onlyKeep it and its fuel at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Keep it dry, because touching a wet generator can cause a shock. Connect appliances to it with heavy-duty extension cords.
• Never heat the house with a gas stovetop or oven
• Unplug the appliances and electronicsPower can come back with surges that damage equipment. Leave one lamp on so you know when it returns.
• Go somewhere with power in extreme heat or coldLocal officials can tell you which heating and cooling centers are open. A fan alone doesn't lower body temperature.

After the power comes back

• Check the thermometers before you eat anythingThrow away any food that sat at 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual smell, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Check the refrigerated medicineIf the power was out for more than a day, throw out any medicine that should be refrigerated, unless its label says otherwise. Call the pharmacist about a replacement.
• Let the generator cool before you refuel itFuel spilled on hot parts can catch fire.