Power off - what do I do with insulin in fridge?

[Bexlee]

Hi All. A little panicked!

We have no power due to the storm. What do I do with insulin in fridge? is it ok in there with door closed ??

I have cool blocks in freezer and a cool bag I could put into that ? Or would it be better and more ok just left in the fridge all be it a no power / not switched on fridge!

Thanks

 

[Ljc]

I wouldn’t worry too much atm. . I’ve found my insulin is much tougher than I thought. I’ve accidentally used Novorapid when it was several months out of date.

Insulin is fine out of the fridge for 28 days and probably for longer. It just that you might notice that it’s less effective after this time has elapsed.
Mine got over heated once, it was in my bag which was in full sun for several hours , boy was it hot, I let it cool and continued using it and all was well.

I would just keep the fridge door closed as much as possible and order more once your power is back on , (which I hope will be soon) so that if you spot it’s less effective after 28 days you have fresh insulin to use.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I agree with Lynn, it’s not any immediate concern keeping the door closed will retain the coolness in the fridge for as long as possible, and the insulin will be fine for almost a month. Depending on how much insulin you have in stock and how long your power is off you may need to just mark those boxes - So that you remember they might run out of steam a bit sooner than usual when you eventually use them 🙂

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Your insulin will be fine, so no need to panic. I lived for years without a fridge insulin was fine during that time. So a few hours wont hurt at all.

 

[Bexlee]

Thanks @Ljc , @everydayupsanddowns and @Pumper_Sue the power came back on after 4 ish hours so all ok ....... bit of panic but I know for next time, seems like there’s a first time (obviously) for everything with diabetes and insulin’s etc. Just when you think you have it all under control.

 

[Kaylz]

Thanks @Ljc , @everydayupsanddowns and @Pumper_Sue the power came back on after 4 ish hours so all ok ....... bit of panic but I know for next time, seems like there’s a first time (obviously) for everything with diabetes and insulin’s etc. Just when you think you have it all under control.

I know its not useful now but are you on the priority list for when such incidents occur with the suppliers? xx

 

[Bexlee]

We are now ! Thanks @Kaylz ..... another 1st.
It’s all nice and calm now you’d never know we’d had know power off or the storm.

 

[trophywench]

We are on the priority list from when we moved here 20 years ago and they said they couldn't come and connect our new gas meter for weeks. Oh dear said husband - my wife's disabled! They never spoke to nor saw me, nor did they ask him how I was disabled, I wasn't here when they came to do it (out at work, Pete was self employed so he just had an hour off) and that was that. Probably the elec supplier needs just as much info! LOL

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi All. A little panicked!

We have no power due to the storm. What do I do with insulin in fridge? is it ok in there with door closed ??

I have cool blocks in freezer and a cool bag I could put into that ? Or would it be better and more ok just left in the fridge all be it a no power / not switched on fridge!

Thanks

Hi Bexlee. I'm not insulin knowledgeable so don't know if insulin has to be kept at a certain temperature but......with the freezing temperatures we are experiencing atm could you not put your insulin in a cooler bag and leave it outside? Just a thought for future reference.
WL

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I have cool blocks in freezer and a cool bag I could put into that ? Or would it be better and more ok just left in the fridge all be it a no power / not switched on fridge!

Hi Bexlee. I'm not insulin knowledgeable so don't know if insulin has to be kept at a certain temperature but......with the freezing temperatures we are experiencing atm could you not put your insulin in a cooler bag and leave it outside? Just a thought for future reference.
WL

I would be a little cautious with any option (coolblock/external temps) that might risk the insulin freezing. If insulin freezes it becomes unusable - it’s why you aren’t to put insulin in a suitcase in the hold of an aircraft. Because the temperatures can drop too low to be safe. 🙂

 

[Wirrallass]

I would be a little cautious with any option (coolblock/external temps) that might risk the insulin freezing. If insulin freezes it becomes unusable - it’s why you aren’t to put insulin in a suitcase in the hold of an aircraft. Because the temperatures can drop too low to be safe. 🙂

Ooops! I'm sorry! Slaps hand! I said I wasn't insulin knowledgeable! I meant well. Learn something new every day🙂
WL
Edited.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Ooops! I'm sorry! Slaps hand! I said I wasn't insulin knowledgeable! I meant well. Learn something new every day🙂
WL
Edited.

No problem! I just thought it worth mentioning for anyone else reading 🙂

 

[PhoebeC]

Mum works at one of the emergency electric call centres, the people you phone when it goes off.
If you don’t open your fridge when the power goes it can stay at the temperature for hours, it’s about 12 hours, the same with the freezer just do not touch them. So your insulin will be fine.
Also you are a bigger priority being a diabetic.
Our carbon monoxide alarm went off 4am Sunday morning, all fine but they had to turn off the gas to do a full check. Husband told British Gas (they didn’t even ask to speak to me and I wasn’t in the room) what the impacts to my health was and he made up something about how temperature can impact glucose levels and a cold temperature with my weaker immune system would cause me to get ill. He was right but over dramatic. Sounds like I’m on my death bed but we were back on within less than 6 hours after phoning them.