How Long Will Your Food Last in a Blackout?

How Long Will Your Food Last in a Blackout?

When the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on everything in your fridge and freezer. Food can spoil faster than you think, and it’s one of the first things people worry about during a blackout.

Here’s a straightforward guide on how long your food will last and what you can do to keep it safe.

1️⃣ The Golden Rule: Keep the Fridge and Freezer Closed

Every time you open the fridge or freezer, you let out cold air and speed up spoilage. During a blackout, only open the doors when absolutely necessary.

2️⃣ How Long Does the Fridge Stay Cold?

A refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if unopened. After that, the temperature will start creeping up, putting perishable food at risk.

3️⃣ How Long Does a Freezer Stay Cold?

A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours if unopened. If it’s only half-full, you’ll get around 24 hoursbefore things start to thaw.

Tip: If you know a storm is coming, fill empty spaces in your freezer with water bottles. This will help keep temperatures down longer during an outage.

4️⃣ What Foods to Watch Closely

Foods like meat, dairy, eggs, and leftovers are the first to spoil when temps rise above 40°F (4°C). A good rule of thumb: if the food has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours, it’s safer to toss it.

5️⃣ No-Power Food Options

Keep shelf-stable, no-cook foods on hand like peanut butter, canned beans, tuna, fruit cups, and granola bars so you’re not relying on what’s in your fridge during a long outage.

The Bottom Line

Power outages can turn your fridge into a ticking time bomb for food spoilage. Keep the doors closed, know your time limits, and have backup food options ready so you’re not forced to gamble with your health.

Get a Simple Blackout Plan

Want a straightforward plan to help you get ready before the next blackout hits? The Urban Blackout Survival Guidewill walk you through exactly what to store, how to manage your food, and how to keep your family safe when the lights go out.