Keep foods safe

photo by corey ann

DEAR SARA: How long does it take before food goes bad when the fridge gives out? — Denise, Missouri

DEAR DENISE: Whether a refrigerator dies or you have a power outage, refrigerator food needs to stay 40 F or below and freezer food 0 F or below. You have about three hours for refrigerated foods to stay at a safe temperature and about 24 hours for freezer food. Don’t open the doors unless you’re adding ice, which can help prolong the amount of time the food stays at a safe temperature. You can also place the food into coolers with ice and see whether friends or family can store it in their refrigerator/freezer temporarily until the power is restored or the refrigerator is repaired or replaced. Investing in an appliance or food thermometer can help you know exact temperatures.

DEAR SARA: How do I barter? I’m interested in taking a dance class and would like to barter for it, but I have no idea how to proceed. Do you have any tips regarding how to bring up the topic? What I should say? — Trinaren, Canada

DEAR TRINAREN: You have to have a price for your skill and compare it to the cost of the dance classes. You’re striving for a win-win situation where the barter is as equal as possible. You need to know how long you’ll be bartering, too. Some people/businesses aren’t open to bartering, or they keep bartering to a minimum. It depends on what service you have to offer in the deal and whether they’re willing to take a swap instead of money. Some people think bartering has increased with the recession. I’d rather have cash flow unless it was a service or product I really wanted. If you already know the dance company uses or is interested in your service or product or a similar one, it will be that much easier. Going into it blindly, you have to hope that they value your product or service as much as you “charge” for it and that they are willing to forgo money. Then simply take your chances. No harm in asking.

DEAR SARA: I’m turning an unused basement room into a big storage pantry. I would like to store all my stockpiled food and household cleaners, etc., in this one place. My concern is: Will the fumes from the cleaners (Lysol kitchen cleaner, toilet-bowl cleaners, dishwashing and dishwasher detergent, etc.) get into my boxed foods (cake mixes, cereals and the like)? What is your opinion? Thanks for your input. — Bev B., Tennessee

DEAR BEV: You’ll want a dehumidifier in your basement if you plan to store these items. You’ll also want your items either on shelves or in plastic totes or bins so they’re off the floor. I wouldn’t store cleaners and food near one another. Boxed items tend to absorb odors and moisture. You or your family members could accidentally confuse food and cleaners, or cleaners could leak or spill. Food items in basements are susceptible to insects and rodents, too. You can transfer boxed food items into glass jars or food-grade plastic containers. Lastly, you shouldn’t place food items anywhere that gets too hot or has direct sunlight.

Posted by Sara Noel on January 13 2010. Filed under Question & Answer.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook