Jul 12, 2022
Newsletter #47

Hi Member,

July is nearly half over, and the Session that was delayed for two years is now just over a month away. We're looking forward to seeing all of you in Annapolis after the long interval.

Power outages and food safety

Summertime can come with storms or wildfires that can interfere with our power supply. This causes many inconveniences, temporarily removing the modern conveniences of electric lights, television, and the Internet. If your place has sump pumps, it can also lead to basement flooding. But there is one more severe loss it can cause: the loss of power to your refrigerator can cause your food to spoil. Worse, you may not be sure what is now dangerous to keep and what is safe.

Some guidelines help you ensure your food remains safe, even if you have to throw away some or all of your food. Familiarize yourselves with these food safety guidelines before the power goes out.

The CDC highlights some of the basics of food safety and power outages.

Before the power goes out

The CDC recommends setting your refrigerator to 40 degrees or below. Other experts suggest that the ideal temperature is actually between 38 and 35 degrees. Many newer refrigerators have digital temperature settings, but they can be off by a degree or two. Experts recommend erring on the side of colder to ensure the temperature doesn’t rise above 40 degrees. Consider using an external calibrated thermometer to get a correct reading.

The freezer is generally best kept as close to zero degrees as possible. There are also strategies on how warm your food should be before being stored and other food safety hints that you might want to review.

When the power goes out

To keep the temperature as cold as possible in the refrigerator and freezer, keep the doors closed during a power outage. A refrigerator will keep food safely cold enough for up to 4 hours of a power outage, and a freezer can keep foods frozen for up to 48 hours if your freezer is full, or up to 24 hours for a half-full freezer.

If power is out for more than 4 hours, consider moving perishable foods to a cooler with ice or cooler packs, if available. You might also ask a neighbor if they have a generator and have room for a few items to tide you over until the power comes back on.

After the power comes back on

Throw out any perishable food in your refrigerator if you have been without power for 4 hours or more. This includes meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers. Remember that 4 hours can be considered a maximum: also throw out any food with an unusual odor, color, or texture. Never taste food to determine if it’s safe, though smelling it is usually safe to do.

You can also measure the temperature of the foods you’re unsure about. If any of them are over 40 degrees, discard them.

Remember, with a little bit of planning and some careful checking, your power outage can stay only an inconvenience and not a life-threatening event.

IFS donation highlight

The International Fraternal Service (IFS) Program was created to assist Subordinate and Grand Councils to promote and participate in community projects, with the Supreme Council reimbursing half of the costs of approved projects, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year. This popular program has been used by 17 different Subordinate Councils and 7 different Grand Councils over the past 5 years, with the Supreme Council reimbursing the councils more than $80,000 during that 5-year period. The donation process is simple and can be completed electronically by emailing the IFS form and required documentation to the Home Office for processing.

One recent request came from Integrity Council #586 for a project supporting the Brandon Caserta Foundation. Brandon was a member of Integrity Council and was an active duty service member whose death was an effort to draw attention to the need for changes in the military. The foundation has made it its mission to provide assistance, guidance, education, and resources to active-duty service members, veterans, and their families to help to stop the suicide epidemic in the Armed Forces and in veteran communities. The foundation championed The Brandon Act, which was passed into law this past March.

Integrity Council has given a great example of how to support the organizations your council cares about most, and make their donations count for more. The IFS Committee encourages all councils to connect with community needs in their area and support them with an IFS project.

PerkSpot reminder

Last month we introduced the new PerkSpot Mobile app that makes it easy for you to access one of the most money-savings benefits of being a member of the Royal Arcanum. As a reminder, you can download the app or just log in or sign up.

The Royal Perks program provides terrific savings for our members, and summertime is no exception. Save on travel and hotels, tickets and attractions, movie tickets, groceries, and move. If you haven’t yet created an account, you’re missing out on the savings you deserve. Sign up now and start saving!