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IF A STORM KNOCKS OUT THE POWER TO YOUR HOUSE, WILL THE FOOD IN YOUR FREEZER BE OK? IF THE POWER’S ONLY OFF FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, IT WILL BE FINE. BUT WHAT IF THE POWER IS OFF FOR DAYS? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW TO KEEP FROZEN FOODS SAFE.
IF YOUR FREEZER IS ONLY HALF FULL, FREEZE CONTAINERS OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER. A FULL FREEZER CAN STAY COLD FOR SEVERAL DAYS, EVEN IN THE SUMMER.
CHECK WITH A LOCAL LOCKER PLANT TO SEE IF IT CAN TAKE FROZEN FOODS IN AN EMERGENCY.
CHECK OUT LOCAL SOURCES OF DRY ICE.
IF YOU THINK A POWER FAILURE IS COMING, TURN THE FREEZER TEMPERATURES TO THE COLDEST POSSIBLE SETTING.
IF YOU DO LOSE POWER, DO NOT OPEN THE FREEZER DOOR. YOU CAN INSULATE THE FREEZER WITH BLANKETS OR QUILTS, BUT NEVER BLOCK THE VENT.
THERE’S NO WAY TO GUARANTEE THAT THE FOOD WON’T GO BAD, BUT YOU CAN LESSEN THE CHANCES IF YOU PLAN AHEAD.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FOOD SAFETY, CALL YOUR COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION CENTER.
