Now that we’re in the midst of hurricane season, it’s important to be prepared for a potential power outage. Make sure that you have enough food on hand to feed your family for a few days and that you know how to keep it safe.

Keep the Refrigerator and Freezer Closed as Much as Possible

Perishable food should be kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe for consumption. If you keep your refrigerator door closed, the food inside should stay at a safe temperature for up to four hours. If you keep the freezer door shut, food should stay safe for 24 hours if the freezer is half-full and for 48 hours if the freezer is full.

If a hurricane is expected to impact your area, put food that you won’t eat right away in the freezer so it will stay cold longer. Buy bags of ice or make ice cubes ahead of time.

Stock up on Non-Perishable Food

If you’re without electricity for an extended period of time, some of the food in your refrigerator or freezer might go bad before you have a chance to eat it, or you might run out of perishable food. Make sure that you have enough non-perishable food available to meet your family’s nutritional needs for a few days. 

Canned goods are easy to store and can last a long time. Just be sure that you have a manual can opener so you can open them without electricity. 

Use Perishable Food First

During a power outage, you’ll have a limited amount of time to eat perishable food before it reaches an unsafe temperature and has to be discarded. Eat perishable foods in the refrigerator first, then move on to food in the freezer. After you’ve consumed those, eat non-perishable food from your cabinets and pantry. If you’re not sure if something is safe to eat, err on the side of caution and discard it. 

Review Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage

An extreme weather event can cause severe damage to your house and personal belongings. It’s a good idea to periodically review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure that you have appropriate coverage. Many people don’t know what their insurance does and doesn’t cover and get an unpleasant surprise when they file a claim and it gets denied.

If you need to modify your coverage, or if you would like to shop around and see if you can get a more affordable policy from a different company, Petruzelo Insurance can help. We can discuss your needs and quickly get you quotes from a range of top insurers. Contact us today to learn more.