Safety first
When in doubt about food safety, discard the item. Do not taste food to determine whether it is safe.
Written steps
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
- Move highly perishable food to a cooler with ice if one is safely available.
- Separate raw meat from ready-to-eat foods and prevent meltwater from contacting food.
- Record when cooling stopped and submit a maintenance request.
Stop and request maintenance if
- Food has an unusual odor, color, texture, or unknown temperature history.
- A resident depends on refrigerated medication; follow the medication provider's storage guidance.
- Meltwater is leaking near electrical equipment.
Optional video
Explains door-closed and cooler strategies while a cooling problem is addressed.
How to Save Food When Your Fridge Isn't Cooling
Loading shares data with YouTube. The written guide works without the video.
Video summary
Explains door-closed and cooler strategies while a cooling problem is addressed. Follow the written DRG guidance above, which defines where residents should stop.