Contact:
Annemarie Beardsworth, 222-3998
Three Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5097
401.222.5960
401.272.5952 After hours
401.222.6548 Fax
TTY: 711
www.health.ri.gov

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) reminds everyone that even though the storm and adverse weather have passed, there are still health and safety issues that may impact the public.

Food Safety: When in doubt, throw it out!

• With more than half of the households in the state without power, it is important to prevent getting sick from food that has spoiled.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures.
• The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if the doors are not opened. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for about 48 hours. (24 hours if it is half full)
• If the temperature in your refrigerator or freezer goes above 40 degrees, throw away perishable foods like beef, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and soft cheeses.
• Food can be safely refrozen if it still has ice crystals on it or has stayed below 40 degrees.
• You cannot see, smell or taste bacteria that may be growing on spoiled food.
• When in doubt, throw it out!

Medication that needs to be refrigerated

• Insulin does not have to be refrigerated. It is more important that insulin does not get too hot or does not freeze. Insulin can be kept at room temperature for up to seven days. If insulin becomes lumpy, granular, or forms a deposit of small particles on the wall of the vial that does not disappear with gentle shaking, do not use it. Click here for information on insulin storage guidelines.
• If your medication must be refrigerated, and your power has been out for more than 24 hours, call your pharmacist to refill your prescription.
• If your power has been out for less than 24 hours, ask a friend or family to allow you to move your medication to their refrigerator.
• If your medication must be refrigerated, do not put it in a cooler with ice packs. The medication could freeze and become ineffective.

Life-sustaining medical equipment or devices: Use emergency rooms for life-threatening emergencies.

• If you are without power and have a medical device that requires electricity to work, call 211 for evaluation and possible referral to a shelter or a hospital.
• If you go to a shelter or other healthcare facility, bring all your medications and all of your medical devices with you.
• Use the emergency room if you have a life-threatening emergency.

Prevent injuries during storm cleanup

• Do not attempt to clear downed power lines. Report downed power lines to your utility providers and let them remove or fix downed wires.
• If using power tools to remove branches from your property, wear safety goggles, construction helmets, and chainsaw chaps. Before trying to move or cut tree limbs, make sure there are no wires in the limbs. If you have little or no experience using a chain saw, hire a licensed professional to remove tree limbs and downed trees from your property.
• If you are using a generator, make sure it is properly ventilated.
• DO NOT use charcoal grills indoors.

Flooded Private Wells
Private wells that have flooded (wells that have standing water around them) should be considered contaminated. People with flooded wells should take the following precautions:

• Boil water for one minute before drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.
• Get well water tested for coliform bacteria as soon as possible. Lab tests usually take about three days, but it may take longer for you to get the results depending on which lab you use. Continue to boil water until you get your test results back and the water has been deemed safe for consumption. For a list of certified labs, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/lists/labs/analytical/
• Once flood waters have receded, your well will need to be disinfected with chlorine and tested before you begin drinking it again.
• For more information about disinfecting your well, visit http://water.epa.gov/drink/info/well/whatdo.cfm

HEALTH Reminds Consumers, Food Establishments of Safe Reopening Procedures

The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) estimates that 2,000 food establishments have lost power at some point during Tropical Storm Irene. Rapid inspections are underway across the state to ensure that perishable foods are not being sold at locations that do not have power.

HEALTH allows food establishments to be open to sell non-perishable foods and drinks such as water and canned foods, but expects the establishments to discard perishables that have been exposed to unsafe temperatures.

Prior to Tropical Storm Irene, HEALTH posted on its website and issued guidance to food establishments reminding them that perishable food must be discarded if the temperatures of these foods exceed 40°F. If foods are stored at unsafe temperatures, bacteria that can make people sick can start growing. If consumers notice any potential food code violations, they should report it to the Office of Food Protection at 222-2749.

Contact HEALTH if you are not opening your practice
Please call the HEALTH Information Line at 401-222-8022 to let us know if you were forced to shut your practice due to a power outage.

Make sure you have safe vaccine storage during power outages
Vaccine providers who have lost power and do not have an emergency vaccine storage plan can contact the Wellness Company at 401-228-8270 to make arrangements to store your vaccine. (Please note that there is a charge for this service from The Wellness Company.) Providers will need to transport their vaccine using proper storage and handling procedures to the Wellness Company in Providence.