“FSIS actually has a laundry list of reasons why this could be a bad idea. The sun’s rays can thaw food even when the air is freezing cold. Outside temperatures can vary hour by hour, potentially more than can be safe for your food. And, of course, “perishable items could be exposed to unsanitary conditions or to animals [which] may harbor bacteria or disease.”
So what should you do? Thankfully, FSIS has you covered. First, don’t panic. “The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened,” the site states. “A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.” That leads to another good piece of advice: Don’t repeatedly open and close the door unnecessarily.”
Read the full story here.
Instead of bringing your food outside to stay cold, use the freezing temperatures to your advantage. Make your own ice by placing water in a jug or can outside. When it’s ready put that ice in your freezer or fridge to give your food some additional time before spoiling. If your home regularly loses power during winter storms, then you may wish to invest in a generator.
Still have power but your fridge isn’t running? Call Apple Valley Eagan Appliance at 952-953-0080. Our appliance repair technicians have years of experience troubleshooting power issues and more.
