If it has been less than two hours, you don’t need to worry about your food spoiling. 

• If you think the power outage will last more than 2‐4 hours, pack refrigerated milk, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, and leftovers into a cooler with ice. 
• Make sure you have plenty of canned goods on hand. (Ensure you have a hand crank can opener). 
• Use a digital quick response thermometer to check the internal temperatures of your food.  Perishable foods should not be held above 40 degrees for more than 2 hours. 
• Do not open the refrigerator or freezer. An unopened fridge or freezer will keep foods cold enough to avoid spoilage for a couple of hours at least. 
• A freezer that is half full will keep foods safe for at least 24 hours. A full freezer will do the same for 48 hours. 
• If the power outage looks like it is going to be prolonged, put your freezer items into a cooler with ice.

Sources:

‐Giant Food, Inc., Landover, Maryland, June 1999

‐“Help, Power Outage!” Food News for Consumers, Summer 1989, U.S. Department