How Long Will Food Stay Frozen? What to Know If Power Goes Out

Officials at Georgia Power Company have offered these tips to prepare your home in case the area loses power. Is your bathtub full of water? How long is food good in your freezer?

These tips have your answers.

Good preparation makes winter storms more bearable. Follow a storm's progress by monitoring a weather radio. Prepare for a possible power outage. Make sure you:

• Cook with a camp stove, fireplace or can of Sterno (cooking fuel). Never use charcoal or other fuels in unventilated areas.
• If you use an electric generator, plug appliances directly into it. Never plug a generator directly into your home's electrical wiring.
• Disconnect or turn off appliances you were using when the power went off. Leave one light on to tell you when service is restored.
• Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36 to 48 hours if the door is closed. In a half-full freezer, food will keep 24 hours.

• Stock up on non-perishable foods, heating fuel and medications.
• Fill your bathtub and spare containers with water in case your electric water pump or the local water system goes out.
• Have a flashlight, a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries handy.
• Prepare older family members, friends or neighbors who live alone for the weather.