Food safety
Keep the fridge closed during a power outage
Note when the outage starts and keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut to preserve cold temperatures.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-12
Why it matters
Opening the door releases cold air and moves perishable food faster into temperatures where bacteria grow quickly.
Wrong action
Opening the doors repeatedly or relying on smell and tasting to decide whether food is safe.
Correct action
Keep doors shut, track outage time, and use Centre for Food Safety time-and-temperature guidance after power returns.
What to do
- Record the time as soon as the outage is noticed.
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- After power returns, check time and temperature; when in doubt, tell the employer and discard high-risk food.
If something happens
If there is a burning smell, smoke, or damaged cable, do not touch or restart the appliance. Keep away, tell the employer, and leave and call 999 if there is a fire.
Sources and review
- Centre for Food Safety — How to Keep Food Safe in Case of a Power Cut at Home
Last reviewed: 2026-09-12
This page provides general home-safety information and does not replace medical, legal, electrical, or other professional advice.