Emergency / Power Outages
Freezers benefit most from dry ice. Refrigerators can be kept cool with dry ice placed on an upper shelf, but items nearest the ice may freeze.
Put dry ice on cardboard on the top shelf and keep delicate produce away from it.
Follow public food-safety guidance on when to discard food after an outage.
Dry ice releases carbon dioxide gas and requires proper ventilation. Handle only with insulated gloves, and never seal it in an airtight container.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Related tool
Power Outage Calculator
Dry ice for a freezer during an outage.
Related product
5/8" Dry Ice Pellets
Versatile pellets for cold-chain shipping, food, medical and industrial use.
View products Find your nearest locationTell us what you need and the PA Dry Ice team will confirm availability and next steps.