When in doubt, throw it out: What to do with your food during the power outage

Keep your food safe by keeping the doors of the freezer and fridge closed.

That’s what the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark County District Health Unit is telling people should they want to preserve their food and be able to eat it once power is restored.

Some of the food may not already be safe to consumer, like dairy, meat and leftovers, so it’s best to just throw those out.

Food in the freezer, however, can be saved by not opening the freezer.

As long as frozen food remains frozen or below 4 C, then it can be cooked once power resumes.

And when in doubt, throw it out.

Wells that rely on treatment systems may not be working so use an alternate source of water or boil water before use for at least one minute, then let it cool.

Once the power comes back, make sure the treatment system is working properly.

This means flushing the lines and taking a sample.

When the results confirm it is working, you can go back to drinking the water.