Safety Reminders for Residents Without Power

Published on August 09, 2025

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is issuing safety reminders for residents without power.

Carbon Monoxide

Reminder to residents to take precautions to protect themselves from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning during severe weather and power outages.

Check CO and smoke alarms to ensure they are working property. Make sure battery-powered or battery back-up CO and smoke detectors are installed on every level and inside each bedroom of your home.
Never operate a portable generator inside any indoor space, including garages or sheds. Portable generators should be operated at least 20 feet away from homes.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas and can cause people to become unconscious or too weak to escape before they experience other symptoms of CO poisoning such as nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and seizures.

If you suspect that you are experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, get fresh air immediately. Leave the home and call 911.

Staying Cool

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 80s today. If you’re without air conditioning, consider going to a friend or relative’s house to stay cool. Residents can also cool off at one of the four city cooling centers and the American Red Cross will be staging a reception center at the F Street Community Center for those who have been displaced or need assistance with recovery planning.

The following cooling center locations will be open Saturday, August 9.

Anderson Branch Public Library (3635 Touzalin Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68507) 402-441-8540

Hours of Operation 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bennett Martin Public Library (136 S 14^th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508) 402-441-8500

Hours of Operation 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Victory Park Senior Center (600 S. 70^th Street, Lincoln NE 68510) 402-441-7070.

Hours of Operation 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

F Street Community Center (1225 F Street, Lincoln, NE 68508) 402-441-7951

Hours of Operation 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Food Safety

Refrigerated or frozen foods may not be safe to eat after a power outage. For Lincoln area residents and businesses without power, please use caution before eating or preparing perishable foods:

During a power outage, refrigerated food will only stay safe for up to four hours. Frozen foods can be kept up to 48 hours in a full freezer or up to 24 hours if the freezer is half full.
Throw out refrigerated food after four hours without power.
Any food with an unusual smell, color or texture should be thrown out.
You can safely refreeze frozen food that still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below.
When in doubt, throw it out.

For more information about food safety after a power outage, go to Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency | Food Safety | CDC.