Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(3)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; For those who have experienced a power outage, USDA and FDA recommend the following steps to keep food safe:

- If you have an appliance thermometer, use it to measure the internal temperature of the fridge and freezer. Refrigerators should stay at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezers should be at zero degrees F.

- Put a block of ice or dry ice in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it cold. If you have access to dry ice, 50 pounds of it will keep an 18-cubic-foot refrigerator cold for 2 days, according to USDA.

- Keep the doors of the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible to keep them cold. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safely for about 4 hours without power if the door is unopened. A full freezer will hold its temperature for around 48 hours if unopened, according to USDA, while a half-full freezer will stay adequately cool for 24 hours.

In order to tell whether food is safe to eat after a power outage:

 - The first rule of post-emergency food safety is, “Never taste food to determine its safety!”, cautions USDA.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(2)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  Government food safety officials recommend a series of measures to prevent food spoilage or avoid eating spoiled food.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Food and Drug Administration recommend taking the following precautions:

- Make ice cubes or freeze gel packs or containers of water so that you can keep food cold in the case of a power outage

- Group food together in the freezer to help it stay cooler longer

- Freeze refrigerated items you don’t need immediately, such as leftovers, fresh meat or milk

- Store food on high shelves or upper floors so that it will be out of the way of contaminated water should the house flood.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some helpful tips about Hurricane food safety?(1)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; As Hurricane Sandy hits the Mid Atlantic, causing widespread damage in the form of flooding and downed trees, it also poses an invisible threat in the form of food spoilage.

More than five million people have already lost power due to lines downed by the storm, and millions more are expected to be without electricity as Sandy continues its course. During a power outage, perishable food that is not kept at the proper temperature can spoil. Other foods risk contamination from flood waters seeping into containers.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some Jack-O-Latern safety tips for Halloween? (3)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says; The ASSH offers these pumpkin carving tips:

• Carve in a clean, dry, well-lit area – Make sure the pumpkin, carving tools, cutting surface and your hands are dry. Otherwise, something could slip, leading to injuries.

• Always have adult supervision – All too often we see adolescent patients with injuries because adults feel the kids are responsible enough to be left on their own. Even though the carving may be going great, it only takes a second for an injury to occur.

• Leave the carving to adults – Don’t let children carve their own pumpkins. They can be in charge of cleaning out the pulp and seeds and drawing faces or patterns on the pumpkins. But adults should do the actual cutting.

If a cutting injury occurs, apply direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth. If the bleeding doesn’t stop within 15 minutes, seek medical treatment.

After carving the pumpkin, the NFSPA recommends:

• Use a moisture-proof flashlight, glow sticks or battery-operated candle instead of a real candle to illuminate it.

• If real candles are used, make sure to keep children and pets away from them when they’re lit, and after they are extinguished. The hot wax may still burn you.

• Keep jack-o-lanterns lit with candles away from decorations and other combustible materials.

In addition, the NFSPA notes, make sure all Halloween decorations are kept away from open flames and heat sources such as light bulbs and heaters.

We urge parents and children to follow these simple safety tips, we want everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween.

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America asks; What are some Jack-O-Latern safety tips for Halloween?(2)

Petruccelli L.T.D of North America says;  "Every Halloween season we see four or five patients — both adults and children — who come into our office with severe injuries to their hands and fingers," says a member from The Hand Center of Western Massachusetts in Springfield, MA. "Treatment can often run three to four months, from the time of surgery through rehabilitation."