Have you ever come home after being away and found that your freezer had a power outage? It’s frustrating to not know how long the food has been thawed and refrozen. But what if there was a simple trick to find out?

In 2016, during Hurricane Matthews, a woman named Sheila Pulanco Russell shared a clever trick on Facebook. It’s a trick that can be used by anyone who needs to leave their home for an extended period of time. And it will give you peace of mind regarding the safety of your frozen food.

You only need three things that you already have at home: a mug, a coin, and some tap water.

Here’s how it works:

1. Fill the mug with water.
2. Freeze the water until it becomes solid.
3. Place a quarter on top of the ice.
4. Leave the mug in your freezer while you’re away.

Now, when you return, check the position of the quarter. If it has fallen to the bottom of the cup, it means the food thawed completely and refroze. In this case, it’s best to throw away the food. However, if the quarter is still on top or in the middle of the cup, your food may still be safe to eat.

This trick is not only useful during evacuations but can also be used anytime you’re away for an extended period and lose power. By following this simple tip, you can prevent unnecessarily throwing away a lot of food and save money.

Stay safe and don’t forget to share this handy trick with your friends!