Are you aware of some of the basic food safety tips to follow after a fire accident? If not, then continue reading to find out.
Fires are disastrous. The heat, smoke and soot that it produces are detrimental to our health. Plus, fires also affect your personal belongings as well as food items in your home. Eating those food items can put you in potential danger. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss some food safety tips after a fire that will help you protect yourself and your loved ones.
Let’s begin.
Food That Appears Fine Might be Affected in the Following Manner
Some food items after a fire accident appear fine, but they aren’t. Eating such food can be dangerous. Such food items can be damaged in the following ways.
- The heat from fire causes jars and containers to crack, thus allowing smoke and soot to affect the food.
- Heat can spoil your food, even if the jars are perfectly sealed.
- Chemicals and smoke from fire can intoxicate your food items.
- Food can be tainted by firefighting chemicals.
What to do With Food Placed Near the Fire?
- In such situations, the food items should be wrapped in paper or cardboard and thrown away immediately.
- Food items that weren’t in the refrigerator must be discarded.
- Food items that are in the refrigerator but have signs of smoke and soot should be discarded as quickly as possible.
- If the foods were touched by firefighting chemicals, they should be thrown away as they have been poisoned.
- Disposable utensils like paper plates and plastic forks and knives should be disposed of after a fire accident.
What to do With Food if There is a Power Breakdown?
- If there has been a power breakdown, it is better to keep the doors of the refrigerators closed. Refrigerated items should be safe if they are locked inside and the power has been out for not more than 4 to 5 hours.
- Ready-to-eat food items that have been touched by thawed meat juices should be thrown away.
- Meat, eggs and other poultry items must be discarded if they have been exposed to 40 degrees heat and above for more than two hours straight.
- Foods and drinks that have gone through discoloration must be discarded immediately. Furthermore, after a fire, never make the mistake of tasting a food item to find out whether or not it is safe.
- Throw away melted items and food items that have a nasty odor.
If a fire has resulted in a power breakdown, contact your utility company right away to find out if the power has been out for a long time. Then contact a fire restoration company.
For timely fire restoration services in Bridgeview, IL, feel free to visit our website today.
