Preparing for unexpected situations can be a daunting task. One area that people tend to overlook is planning for a power outage. When a power outage occurs, refrigerators, freezers, and other modern appliances suddenly lose their ability to keep food cold.
Many people can’t keep enough food safely cold for an extended period of time. However, with a few simple tricks, anyone can ensure that their food is safe and ready for when the power returns.
One of the simplest tricks to ensure food safety during a power outage is to set up a cup of water with a coin on the top. The coin will sit on top when the water freezes as a reminder. Once the temperature rises and the water melts, the coin will sink as the liquid pushes it down. This offers an easy way to know whether the food has been fine in the freezer.
If the power returns and the coin is still floating at the top of the cup, you can be assured that the food has frozen. However, if the coin has sunk, it is a sign that at least some of the food has started to thaw out and may not be safe to eat anymore. In this case, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw away any food that has been affected.
It may also be a good idea to plan for a power outage beyond just making sure food won’t spoil. A backup plan for various utilities, such as heat and light, is essential for maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
Investing in a generator is a great way to ensure that the necessities remain functional should the power go out. Emergency kits can also prove to be very helpful in many different situations.
Power outages are an unfortunate reality that many people face. Fortunately, there are several measures one can take to make sure that their food and other necessities are safe no matter the cause or length of the power outage.
Investing in emergency kits and generators is always a good idea. And don’t forget the simple trick of setting up a cup of water with a coin inside it; it may save you from a nasty bout of food poisoning one day.