Last week, many residents experienced power outages due to strong winds, leading to the loss of a significant amount of food. To prevent this in the future, experts suggest keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed during short outages, using thermometers to monitor temperatures, and transferring perishables to a cooler with ice if needed. They also recommend using dry ice for extended outages, but caution that it should be handled carefully to avoid frostbite and stored properly to prevent damage.
Additionally, maintaining a chest-type deep freezer over an upright, frost-free model can help preserve food longer during outages. In the event of a power outage, cooking can also be a challenge, so having a plan in place to quickly consume at-risk food, such as inviting friends over to help, can be a solution.
For more information and tips on food preservation during power outages, residents can contact their local county extension office, such as the Los Angeles County Master Gardener Program, the Orange County Master Gardener Helpline, the Riverside County Master Gardener Program, or the San Bernardino County Master Gardener Program.
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