Keeping food safe during an extended power outage: A consumer’s perspective

Authors

  • Sandria L. Godwin, PhD
  • Richard J. Coppings, PhD
  • Katherine M. Kosa, MS
  • Sheryl C. Cates, BS
  • Leslie Speller-Henderson, MS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2010.0038

Keywords:

food safety, power outages, consumer preparedness

Abstract

Most Americans live at risk of experiencing a natural disaster. Such disasters are often accompanied by power outages, sometimes for extended periods. Six formal focus groups were conducted, two in North Carolina and four in Tennessee, to assess consumers’ food safety knowledge and practices during extended power outages. Forty-seven adults of various ethnicities, ages, and genders participated in the focus groups held in libraries, extension offices, or other community centers. Participants’ knowledge of safety precautions that should be taken during and after a power outage and the actions that participants had taken to be prepared for a possible power outage in the future were evaluated. Few participants were prepared for their most recent extended power outage, and most participants had not taken additional measures to prepare for a future outage. To determine the safety of food during or after a power outage, some participants relied on their senses. Barriers to not following recommended practices included not being aware of specific recommendations, not believing specific recommendations, procrastination, cost, and limited space for storing emergency supplies. Motivators to following the recommended practices included having concerns about contracting foodborne illness, believing the messages, and having recently experienced an extended power outage. It was concluded that few consumers were prepared to keep their food safe during an extended power. In anticipation of a natural disaster that may cause an extended power outage, food safety educators should work with the media to provide information to consumers on actions they should take to prepare for an extended power outage.

Author Biographies

Sandria L. Godwin, PhD

Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Richard J. Coppings, PhD

Professor, Department of Natural and Physical Science, Jackson State Community College, Jackson, Tennessee.

Katherine M. Kosa, MS

Research Policy Analyst, Food and Agriculture Policy Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Sheryl C. Cates, BS

Senior Research Policy Analyst, Food and Agriculture Policy Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Leslie Speller-Henderson, MS

Extension Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee.

References

Ripley A: Why we don’t prepare for disaster. Time Magazine; 2006. Available at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/ 0,9171,1229102,00.html. Accessed March 5, 2008.

Marx MA, Rodriguez CV, Greenko J, et al.: Diarrheal illness detected through syndrome surveillance after a massive power outage: New York City, August 2003. Am J Public Health. 2006; 96(3): 547-553.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service: A Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety. Severe Storms and Hurricanes.Washington, DC: USDA, 2007.

Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross: Food and water in an emergency. Available at http://www. fema.gov/pdf/library/f&web.pdf. Accessed February 25, 2010.

Witte K, Meyer G, Martell D: Effective Health Risk Messages. A Step-by-Step Guide. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2001.

Guion DT, Scammon DL, Borders AL: Weathering the storm: A social marketing perspective on disaster preparedness and response with lessons from Hurricane Katrina. J Public Policy Market. 2007; 26(1): 20-32.

Glik DC: Risk communication for public health emergencies. Annu Rev Public Health. 2007; 28: 33-54.

Perry RW, Greene MR, Lindell MK: Enhancing evacuation warning compliance: Suggestions for emergency planning. Disasters. 1980; 4(4): 433-449.

Perry RW: Comprehensive Emergency Management: Evacuating Threatened Populations. Greenwich: JAI Press, 1985.

Published

11/01/2010

How to Cite

Godwin, PhD, S. L., R. J. Coppings, PhD, K. M. Kosa, MS, S. C. Cates, BS, and L. Speller-Henderson, MS. “Keeping Food Safe During an Extended Power Outage: A consumer’s Perspective”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 8, no. 6, Nov. 2010, pp. 44-50, doi:10.5055/jem.2010.0038.