How to Protect Your Food Before a Blackout: Simple Steps That Save Money, Time, and Stress

When severe weather, grid failures, or disasters strike, one of the first concerns is food safety. A blackout can happen without warning—and once the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on how long your refrigerator and freezer can safely hold your food.

But the good news is this:
Most food loss during power outages is preventable if you take a few steps before the blackout happens.

At Koko’s Emergency Products, we specialize in practical preparedness solutions. Below are smart, simple strategies to help protect your family’s food supply long before the lights go out.

1. Freeze What You Can—Before You Need It

Your freezer is your strongest tool in a blackout.

What to do:

• Freeze meats, leftovers, bread, and other perishables ahead of time.

• Freeze bottles of water or store-bought ice packs—these act as “thermal batteries.”

• Keep your freezer organized so cold air stays consistent.

Why it matters:
A full freezer stays cold about 48 hours without power, while a half-full freezer lasts around 24 hours. Pre-frozen items help stretch that time.

2. Lower Your Fridge and Freezer Temperatures

Before a storm or power threat, immediately turn the thermostat to the coldest safe setting.

Set to:

• Refrigerator: 34–37°F (1–3°C)

• Freezer: 0°F (-18°C)

Why it helps:
Starting with colder temps adds extra hours of safe food storage during an outage.

3. Prepare Ice Packs, Ice Bags & Cold Sources

Ice is one of the most valuable resources during a blackout.

Prepare:

• Reusable ice packs

• Bags of ice

• Frozen water bottles

• Frozen juice pouches

Tip: Pack unused freezer space with frozen water bottles—they keep temperatures low and provide clean drinking water later.

4. Stock Up on Non-Perishable Foods

Even with preparation, perishable food may not survive a long outage. Every household should have:

• Canned meats, soups, vegetables, beans

• Ready-to-eat meals (MREs)

• Dry goods: rice, pasta, oats

• High-energy snacks: granola bars, nuts

• Shelf-stable milk or plant-based milks

• Peanut butter and spreads

Koko’s Emergency Products offers curated emergency food kits designed for long-term shelf life—ideal for families, RVs, cabins, or emergency bins.

5. Keep Coolers Ready for Backup Cooling

A heavy-duty cooler becomes critical during multi-day blackouts.

Prepare:

• One large insulated cooler

• Several smaller coolers for separating foods

• Frozen ice packs stored year-round

Use coolers to transfer the most important foods only after the refrigerator can no longer maintain safe temps.

6. Don’t Open the Doors Once the Power Goes Out

This isn’t something you do before, but it’s essential to remember:

Every fridge or freezer door opening can cost hours of cooling retention.

Tell your family ahead of time:

• “Once the power goes out, don’t touch the fridge unless absolutely necessary.”

7. Label Your Foods for Faster Decisions

Before an outage, take a few minutes to:

• Label cooked foods with dates

• Place essentials in easy-to-reach zones

• Move older items to the front

This reduces time spent searching later—protecting food temperature and safety.

8. Have a Backup Cooking Method Ready

If you save the food but can’t cook it, it will still go to waste. Always prepare:

• Propane stove

• Camping stove

• BBQ grill

• Rocket stove

• Charcoal and lighters

• Fire-safe cookware

(And always cook outdoors for safety.)

9. Keep a Food Thermometer Handy

During an outage, the only safe rule is this:

"When in doubt, check the temperature."

Food is unsafe after reaching 40°F (4°C) for more than 2 hours.
A simple thermometer can save hundreds of dollars in food—and prevent illness.

With simple preparation:

• You save money

• You reduce stress

• You keep your family safe

At Koko’s Emergency Products, we provide the emergency food, gear, and tools you need to be ready before the unexpected happens.