|
Home
Page
Forum
Bella Mira Essential Oil
Supplements
Bella Mira Magnetic Hair Care
Bella Mira Skin Care
Essential Oil Information and Use
Essential Oil
Singles
Essential Oil
Blends
Essential Oil
Kits
Essential Oil Supplies
Chemical Free Body Care Products
Chemical Free Cleaning Products
Gluten Free Living and Recipes
Gluten Free Products
Thyroid 101
Fibromyalgia 101
PAIN Relief and Information
Detoxification and Digestion Products
Pet Place
CD's DVD's and Books
Save Your Computer Free Protection
Kelp, Ear Candles and More
Woman's World
CD's DVD's and Books
3-D Screensavers
Hormone Balance Test New
Improved
Thyroid Function Test
Internal Toxicity Test
Gift Certificates
Link Exchange/Banners
(918)
640-2973
Our
Shopping Cart Is:
& FAQ
Free Samples w/$100 Order.
| |
5 Steps to Prep Your Kitchen for Power Outages 6-24-08
Your Food Doesn't Have to Spoil When Summer Storms Leave
You in the Dark
Freeze Please
The USDA's office of
Food Safety and Inspection Service suggests preparing ahead of
time by keeping an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and
freezer. In the case of a power outage, the thermometer can help
assess the safety of the food. The freezer should be at 0 degrees F
(Fahrenheit) or below and the refrigerator should be at 40 degrees F
or below. In addition, you can freeze containers of water for ice to
help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers after the
power is out. Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and
fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately to keep them
fresh longer.
Keep Cool
Make sure you have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food
cold if the power will be out for more than four hours. The
USDA suggests purchasing or making ice cubes and storing
them in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a
cooler, and freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in
coolers. To help keep food cold longer, group food
together in the freezer. Keeping block ice or dry ice in the
refrigerator and freezer will help keep it as cold as
possible if the power is going to be out for a while. The
agency says fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an
18-cubic-foot full freezer for 2 days.
Keeping the refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible
saves energy, and it's especially important during a power outage to
maintain the cold temperature. The USDA says a refrigerator will keep
food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full
freezer, meanwhile, will hold the temperature for approximately 48
hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed).
If the power has been out for several days, check the
temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or
food thermometer (hopefully you prepared ahead and have one
in there!). If the food still contains ice crystals or is at
40 degrees F or below, the food is safe. If the food still
contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees F or below, it may
be safely refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in
the freezer, then check each package of food to determine
its safety. The USDA says if the food still contains ice
crystals, the food is safe.
When in Doubt, Throw it Out
Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat,
poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs,
leftovers, and deli items after four hours without
power. You'll be glad to be reminded that you
should not taste a food to determine its safety!
Remember the mantra: When it doubt, throw it out.
For more information on food safety,
visit the USDA FSIS website.
|
