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Episode Transcription
I’m Susie Craig with Washington State University Extension and this is Food Safety in a Minute
Do you know what to do with food in your freezer when you have a power outage? Here are a few things that you can do:
- Plan ahead for extra cooling power. Turn your freezer to the coldest setting if you anticipate a major storm.
- Develop a plan with friends or relatives living outside the affected area to share freezer space.
- Keep the freezer door closed. A full freezer will hold food for about 48 hours. A half full freezer will hold food for about 24 hours.
- Know where to purchase block or dry ice. Fifty pounds of dry ice will protect food in an 18 cubic foot freezer for about two days.
After power is restored, carefully check the food in your freezer. Perishable food that doesn’t contain ice crystals or food that has a temperature above 40 degrees should be discarded.
With today’s Food Safety in a Minute, I’m Susie Craig with Washington State University Extension.