The Trick All Michiganders Should Know for When the Power Goes Out

I came home from work today, and wouldn't you know it, the power was out. When that happens, the first my mind goes to is the food in the fridge and the freezer and whether or not it's still safe to eat.

That's why I'm so glad I know this trick. And I'm not one to gatekeep, so I want to make sure you know it too.

There's a trick that all Michiganders should know in case their power goes out. And all you need to make it work is quarter, a cup, and some water.

The Quarter Trick

When I first became a home owner, I had no idea about this nifty trick. But since I've learned it, I feel like everyone should know this...

Grab a coffee cup and fill it with water. Once it's full, insert it directly into the freezer. You want to wait until the water is completely frozen, and once it is, that's where the quarter comes into play. You're going to place the quarter on top of the ice in the cup, and put the whole thing back in the freezer.

Read Related: Say Goodbye to These Refrigerators in Michigan

Now, the next time you come home to discover your power has gone out, there will be a clear indication about whether or not your food is still good to eat. It the quarter is at the top still or has only dropped down a little bit (above the halfway mark), your food is probably still good to eat. But, if you discover that the quarter is at the halfway mark or below, that food is now unsafe to eat. The food, just like the water, thawed. And how long it remained thawed it unclear. So even if the food is frozen once again, be sure to toss it.

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It's certainly going to hurt chucking all that food in the trash, but it will hurt a lot more if you get sick from eating spoiled food. Stay safe out there!