Public Advisory: Hot Food Services Available in Communities Affected by Power Outage

The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, through its agreement with the Salvation Army for the provision of emergency social services, wishes to advise members of the public affected by the current power outage in the Bonavista area, that a hot food service is being provided this evening in the communities and surrounding areas.

Site food services are being provided on Random Island, in the community of Britannia at the Vernon J. Clarke Building, in Port Rexton at the Bishop White School, and at local Salvation Army Citadels in the communities of Musgravetown, Lethbridge and Bonavista. As well, the Salvation Army has mobile feeding trucks in the area and is working with affected communities to provide additional food services.

As circumstances can change, residents are strongly advised to contact their local municipality for further details regarding food service times in their respective areas.

Fire and Emergency Services - Newfoundland and Labrador offers the following safety suggestions to those affected by a power failure:

• Residents on town water supply should boil their water in the event that the chlorine system is not operational.
• Residents are encouraged to check on your neighbours, especially seniors who may require some assistance.
• Do not use candles.
• For residents using a generator � please ensure that generators are not located in your house, and that generators are disconnected when the power is turned back on.
• Turn off all appliances, tools and electronic equipment and turn your home heating down to minimum for the following reasons:
  • Tools and appliances left on will start up automatically when service is restored. Turning them off will prevent injury, damage or fire.
  • Power can be restored more easily when there isn�t a heavy load on the electrical system.
  • Leave one light switch on, so you know when power is restored.
  • Don't open your freezer or refrigerator unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer should keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed. In the winter, you can sometimes store perishable food outside in protective containers in the snow. Storing food outdoors does, however, require caution. There are risks posed by unsanitary conditions, variable temperatures and passing animals. The sun�s rays could melt frozen food and cause refrigerated food to become too warm. If the temperature is cold enough to keep frozen foods frozen, it will be too cold for refrigerated foods.
  • Don't use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors. They give off carbon monoxide. Because you can't smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause health problems and even kill you before you know it's there.

After the power returns:

2007 12 04                                                       2:50 p.m.