Kanawha Health Department offers food safety guidelines for outa - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department issued several guidelines Saturday afternoon to assist the many residents who are without electricity and will try to salvage their food.

Health department officials advise that a fireplace, charcoal grill or camp stove should only be used outdoors because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

If the temperature of perishable foods rises above 41 degrees for more than four hours, officials advise that the food be discarded. Foods kept in freezers should remain frozen for as much as 24 hours if the freezer door is not opened. Food will usually still have ice crystals in their centers in a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, and they will be safe to eat for at least three days, according to health officials.

If food is still partially frozen after 24 hours, it should be safe to refreeze. If frozen foods have thawed and have been stored at temperatures above 41 degrees for less than four hours, then it should be used immediately.

Health officials advise that meat and poultry products should not be used and should be discarded if the temperature of the meats is above 45 degrees for more than two hours.

Frozen dinners, vegetables, meat, fish and ice cream should not be re-frozen. Health officials have advised the public to use emergency measures such as adding insulation to freezers with blankets, but be careful not to cover air vent openings.

Emergency water supplies should be stored in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers, according to the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department. Water should be treated with a chlorine to prevent the growth of microorganisms before it is stored.