Bernards Health Department Advises on Food Safety and Other Precautions After Irene

Following up on the impact of last weekend's Hurricane Irene — and with many area residents still without power into a third day after the storm — public health officials continue to answer questions and provide residents with information to protect their health and well being. The Bernards Township Health Department announced that those with questions or concerns about health and safety can call 908-204-2520.

The health department advised that residents should take note of the following guidelines to keep safe and healthy as they clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene:

• Keep your refrigerator closed if you have lost power. Food will stay cold longer possibly until the power comes back on. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold enough for a few hours. A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours and a full freezer, between 36 and 48 hours.
• Throw a blanket over appliances for added insulation.
• However, food must be kept below 40 degrees F in order to stay safe. Throw away food, especially meat, poultry, fish and dairy products, if they are above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours.
• Discard all food that has been touched by flood waters, including packaged food.
• To avoid carbon dioxide poisoning, use all generators, charcoal and gas grills, and camp stoves outside your home or garage. Keep generators outside and away from doors and windows.
• To prevent mold, dry all wet areas quickly. Wear boots and gloves and do not splash on skin as a precaution.
• Tap water in our contractual towns is safe to drink and use. If water does not immediately flow when you turn on a faucet, run the water for 30 seconds or more before you drink or cook with it.
• Do not wade through deep water as hazards may be present.
• Use extreme caution when assessing downed trees in your area. Use eye protection and gloves when clearing debris. If they are near a power line, do not touch it and call the power company to report possible hazards.
• Use flashlights or other battery powered light. Do not use candles. 

In-depth information can be found on our website: Bernard Township Health Department, www.bernardshealth.org.

The Bernards Township Health Department also is the contracted health agency for Bernardsville, Peapack-Gladstone, Long Hill Township, Mendham Borough and Township and Chester Borough.