The worst of Sandy is behind us, but the storm has left tens of thousands of us without power. Here are some tips for managing while you wait for the lights to come back on.
When the power goes out:
- Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature
- Remember: The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed)
- If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, then check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe
- Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power
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