During the summer season, you might see more sudden power outages and blackouts. When the power goes out, you may be waiting for your electrical contractors in Bucks County, PA, for a while — so it’s worth it to know what to do with the food in your fridge.

According to data from the Federal Food Safety Commission, the food in your refrigerator will stay good for up to four hours after the power goes out as long as you keep the door sealed. Beyond four hours, you’ll need to start making some tough decisions and tossing some items.

Knowing what to keep and what to throw out after a power outage can help stop nasty foodborne illnesses from making their way into your home. Here’s a quick and handy guide you can use to decide what can stay in your fridge — and what needs to go.

• Meat, poultry, and seafood. Meat, poultry, and seafood can’t survive very long without being kept cold. Toss all forms of raw, cooked, and leftover meat and seafood products if your power is out for longer than a few hours.
• Cheeses. Certain types of cheeses don’t need to be refrigerated to stay safe. Hard cheeses (like cheddar, parmesan, and Romano) can be kept and eaten even if your power goes out for more than four hours. Processed cheeses are also safe to keep. However, soft cheeses (like brie, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack) need to be thrown out, as well as any shredded cheese varieties you have on-hand.
• Fruit. Good news — most types of fruit don’t need to be kept cold to stay safe. The only things you should throw out due to a power outage are sliced fruits (whole ones are fine) and shredded coconut.
• Eggs. Unfortunately, you’ll need to toss out any kind of eggs and egg products during a long power outage. This includes quiches and custards, as well as cooked and hard-boiled eggs.

Being prepared for a power outage includes knowing who to call when the lights go out. A-1 Electric is a third-party independent electrical service provider offering everything from basic residential repairs to buck truck services in Bucks County, PA. Give us a call today to learn more or schedule an appointment.