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Editor’s Note: Preparedness prevents panic. Here are a few tips to rely on if your light go out:
- Frozen Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed).
- As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power. (The USDA? Really? My fully stocked fridge, when unopened…will keep food cold enough for 18-24 hours.) The rule of thumb…DO NOT take chances with foods warming to room temp…ever!
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