One simple way to grow equity in your savings account! | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Building savings can be tricky at times, but there is a method circulating on the Internet that can get you a guaranteed $1378 in your bank account at the end of 52 weeks. This strategy is great if you're saving for a specific purchase, a vacation, or a special occasion. The method is called the 52-Week Savings Plan, and what makes it simple is that you deposit a dollar amount equivalent to the week number in the year. For example, March 19th begins the 12th week of the year, so you would deposit $12 for that week. That holds true for the way you calculate the deposits for all other weeks in your 52-Week Savings Plan: Week 1 – $1 Week 2 – $2 Week 3 – $3 Week 4 – $4 … and on it goes for a full 52 weeks. By the time you complete 52 deposits into your savings account, you will save $1378. Plus, in most cases, that small deposit each week will barely get missed. After all, the biggest deposit is on week 52 at $52. Now imagine what that savings would look like if you double or triple the deposits each week! Doubling up each week would save $2756 and tripling up would save $4134 with the largest single week deposit being $156 (52 weeks x3). If instead, you decided to deposit $52 per week, then your 52-week total would be $2704. Maybe dollar savings plans won't work for you. Then try multiplying the week number by 25 or 50 cents and depositing smaller amounts. This article breaks down those options and a few others into visual tables, so you can see how the deposits add up. Happy saving! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

How to Get Off Your Habit Wheel | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Are your New Year resolutions long gone, with old habits back in action? You know, those tendencies that happen over and over without thinking. Our own habits can drive us crazy, especially when they’re ones we are trying to break. So how do we finally break them? 

Think!

No, not about how much you hate this habit of yours. Instead of focusing on the habit itself, try to think about what’s going on when the unwanted behavior occurs. Is there a pattern that you can see – and break?

When and How

When and how does your bad habit occur? Many habits happen during specific situations. If that’s the case, get off the hamster wheel. Avoid those situations! If that’s not possible, try to change your mindset and other actions in the situation. Look for patterns that you can modify or remove.

What

When it comes to that unwanted habit, consider what’s in it for you. How are you benefiting or not benefiting? Most habits, even annoying and harmful ones, serve (or once served) a purpose. Before eliminating that habit, be sure you aren't removing what’s good.

Want

One of the best ways to break an old habit is by replacing it with something new. Consider the changes you are going to make and what you’re going to do instead. If you're going to go through the effort of kicking a habit to the curb, why not make sure you put a better habit in its place?

For example, if you want to break the habit of eating a bowl of ice cream every night, replace it with a walk around the block.

The first quarter of 2018 may be winding down, but there’s plenty of time left in this year. Here’s to making this the best year yet!

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

A Smart Way to Get You and Your Family Organized | E-Neighborhood Advisor

When you take a grand view of regular planning, there are at least three levels – monthly, weekly, and daily. Each of these levels reveals a different aerial view of your month.  A monthly focus is good for a broad scope of appointments, events, birthdays, and longer-term projects that you’d like to complete over the month. A weekly view is a good way to see a full list of tasks and to plan out your errands and time commitments over a seven-day span. A daily focus is an excellent place to plan out your tasks in 15, 30 or 60 minute time blocks where the action will happen to actually accomplish your weekly and monthly goals. An online calendar like Google Calendar is useful for your daily, weekly, and monthly planning, especially when you’re doing the scheduling for multiple people in a family. All you need to get started is a free Google email account, and then you’ll be able to create multiple color-coded calendars that all sync to a single view. The best benefit of Google Calendar is the ability to incorporate multiple calendars for different purposes. For example, aside from your main calendar, you may choose to create a Household calendar to keep track of things like when to change the furnace filter, garbage days, bill payment dates, property tax deadlines, etc. You may also opt to have a separate calendar for each child in order to keep track of their activities, playdates, game schedules, special school days, recitals, etc. No more pulling your hair trying to remember who was supposed to be at soccer practice and who was supposed to be performing at a piano recital! Another benefit with Google Calendar is the ability to import calendars from outside sources like Facebook, Meetup, Google groups, or other organizations that use iCal calendar share options. Plus, your spouse and older kids with their own Google accounts can send you a share link for their calendar, and vice versa. Sharing family calendars is handy to help know where everyone is or needs to be, and to avoid scheduling over another time commitment in the family. If you’ve never used Google Calendar, here is a short video that shows you how to use the most recent version. For more ideas about how to keep track of family and household activities, start at 1:00 on this video or see how this woman uses the calendar to organize her life for inspiration. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Revamp and Complete Your Room with Just One Wall | E-Neighborhood Advisor

It's that time of year when warmer weather outside motivates spring cleaning and other interior home updates. One way to spruce up your space is with a signature wall (also called an accent wall). A signature wall anchors the room with a blast of color, texture, shape, or a unique finish that contrasts with the rest of the room. A signature wall is about you – an extension of your interests and personality. It’s important to choose your accent wall carefully. It might be a wall that already has some unique characteristics, like a bookcase, fireplace, or windows. Or you might prefer to choose a more neutral, blank wall to use as the canvas for your accent wall. Whichever way you go, make sure that you take the wall’s surroundings into account when deciding on an accent wall location and color. You don’t want to paint an entire wall only to realize that it completely clashes with the couch and carpeting in the same room! After choosing the wall, it's time to decide what you want on it. Often a signature wall is marked by a contrasting paint color that is found nowhere else in the room, except a few accessories like throw pillows or vases. Another option is to make it a feature wall with a mural, wood or tile design, or an arrangement of framed photos or art. Inspiration for accent walls can be found all over the Internet, like this site with accent walls for the living room, or this one with walls using murals, or this site with photos and accent wall tips. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Will it be Classic, Modern or Something in Between? | E-Neighborhood Advisor

                                       

Color

As you’re choosing your artwork, think about the space where the art will live. If you want your new artwork to complement your existing design scheme, then look for art that echoes some of the bolder colors in the space. If you choose the artwork before decorating (or re-decorating) the room, then pulling colors or themes from the artwork into the rest of the room will be an important aspect of your design.

Dimensions

Know your room measurements and the size of walls where artwork will hang. If artwork pieces are too big, they can overwhelm a room. If they’re too small, they’ll look lost. Balance can be achieved with a few related smaller pieces, rather than a single larger piece on a wall.

Furnishings and Accessories

Don’t forget to factor in the style of your furniture and accessories when choosing artwork for a room. In a more modern décor, unframed art may create a better effect than traditional framed pieces, whereas ornate frames are better suited to other room styles.

Artistic Style

Art is about what you love. It is available in a variety of styles and materials, including paint, photography, sculpture and more. Take advantage of these styles to enhance your desired décor in the room.

Happy decorating!

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

Save Time With These Smart Kitchen Hacks! | E-Neighborhood Advisor

The Internet is a great resource for finding time-saving ideas like the ones below to save your sanity in the kitchen. Spice Jar Labels When you buy spices, do you transfer them from branded plastic packaging into special glass spice bottles at home? A quick way to label your jars is cut the spice name off the original packaging and affix it to the outside of your spice jar with clear sticky tape, so that the name is readable through the tape. Peel Garlic Whether you need to peel a single clove or an entire bulb of garlic, toss it into an empty jar, secure the lid, and shake the jar vigorously. You can even dance around the kitchen as you create your own rhythm! After a few minutes, you’ll notice that the garlic skins have separated from the cloves. All you need to do is dump the contents out, separate the clean garlic cloves, and discard the skins. Keep Water in the Pot Prevent a rapidly boiling pot of pasta boiling over that foam and water by laying a wooden spoon across the top. It does keep the bubbling foam in the pot! Peel Hard Boiled Eggs Peel hard boiled eggs quickly: after they’re boiled and rapidly cooled in an ice water bath, place them in a bowl that has a tight-fitting lid. Next add some water (about half the level of the eggs), and secure the lid on top. Now, as with the garlic, shake vigorously in all directions for a minute. When you remove the lid, most, if not all, the shells will easily slide away. And if you’ve ever wondered how to cook the perfect egg, here’s a video that shows you how! There are shortcuts and solutions on the Internet for just about anything. Simply type “how to” along with what you wonder about into a Google search bar and see what you find! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Our Bodies are Magnificent Machines | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Our bodies are well-designed machines. They digest what we consume in the best way possible to keep the mind, skin, and internal organs as healthy as possible. A large portion of how well all of it works is directly connected to what we eat and drink.

Nutrition is the primary contributor to our health. Indeed, conditions like brain fog, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke can be directly connected to food and beverage choices. So often, we make choices based on convenience, flavor and pleasure, often with little thought about what the body needs. Our real needs are based on:

Protein: Needed to build muscles, provide strength to the immune system, build new tissues, repair damaged cells, and help with hormones and enzymes.

Carbohydrates: The primary source of energy. There are two types: simple carbohydrates, which are the quickest source of energy to the body, and complex carbohydrates, which take longer to break down and can therefore sustain energy needs for longer periods of time. Plus, they are often rich in fiber and high in vitamins and minerals.

Fats: Healthy fats contribute to blood pressure regulation, energy, and protection around vital organs. Fats can also protect us from external changes like temperature.

Vitamins: There are water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. These help the body grow, develop, and function properly, while regulating body systems. There are 13 essential vitamins - A, C, D, E, K, B vitamins (B6, B12, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, and pantothenic acid), folate, and biotin – and each performs specific tasks within the body.

Minerals: These regulate body processes and make tissues. Like vitamins, they aid in the proper operation of many systems in the body, including the immune system. Important minerals include Chloride, Calcium, Copper, Chromium, Fluoride, Iron, and Iodine.

Water: This is an essential nutrient, because the human body is 70% water. Good hydration helps dissolve and carry essential vitamins and minerals to where they are needed most. It also regulates body temperature, removes waste, and nourishes the skin.

Superior, well-balanced nutrition with lean proteins along with fruits and vegetables in a kaleidoscope of colors – keeps the body healthy and in the best operating condition for as long as possible.

Here is an outline of the food that will get your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

Don’t get rid of that old dresser just yet... | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Seeing what some people do with their imagination can be fascinating, especially when imagination is used to solve a problem. Imagination is especially awesome when it is used to give new life and purpose to furniture rather than sending it to the landfill. Old dressers are a great example. They have been repurposed into benches, vanities, pet stations, kitchen islands, and children’s kitchen centers. Some drawers have found new life as foot stools, under-the-bed storage bins with wheels, and wall storage or display centers. Excellent examples of repurposed furniture are all over the Internet. There are even websites and social media accounts dedicated to giving old things new life. Here are just a few examples: • For Creative Juice shared a blog post called “Awesome DIY Furniture Makeover Ideas: Genius Ways To Repurpose Old Furniture With Lots Of Tutorials” • Re-Scape is a Facebook page full of inspiration, and the pages liked on their page have great ideas too. • IKEA Hackers focuses less on re-purposing older furniture, and more on innovative ways to use and customize IKEA furniture. For more inspiration, search Google for the specific article of furniture you’d like to transform (i.e., dresser or furniture) and then click on the Images tab to see what people have done to upgrade their items. For video how-to’s on these (and practically any subject or hobby) do a search on YouTube. Will you transform any furniture this summer? Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Tips to prepare for a home renovation project | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Whenever there is a renovation project happening, you want it to go quickly, without issues or surprises. There are a couple of things you can do to make that happen: Research Doing your research will help you gain a clear understanding about what will happen during the project. That doesn't mean you have to have expert-level knowledge, but you should be clear about the steps involved and how long each will take. Discover what potential issues may arise. After all, it's not always possible to know what will get discovered behind walls and under old floors. Plan It's not always necessary, but during some renovation projects residents many need to sleep somewhere else for a night or more. Know when that might happen and plan your options for getting out of the house for a night or two. The same holds true when changes affect water availability or the use of a kitchen for cooking. If there are pets, they too may need to have another place to stay for a little while. Communicate Keep communication lines open with the team renovating your home. Everyone involved in the project needs to be on the same page about what must get done and when, so there are no surprises or delays (or at least to minimize them!). Protect Renovation projects typically involve a lot of activity and people. Know who will be entering your home always. Be sure that all unnecessary clutter and household objects get cleared out of the way. Cover the walls and floors in high traffic areas with protective barriers in a way that will not damage finishes. For areas where nobody will go, consider hanging plastic drapes over entryways to keep dust out. Here are more tips and projects to consider at different times of the year. Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

How Embracing Downsizing Can Benefit Your Life as a Senior

How Embracing Downsizing Can Benefit Your Life as a Senior

Tiny living trend aside, downsizing makes a good deal of sense for many of us as we age. And no, that doesn’t mean we choose to live in miniature houses the size of a studio apartment. Instead, it means we should look for a home that makes sense for our lives. If you are thinking of downsizing, here is what you need to know before you dive in.

Decreasing Stuff

Arguably, the most difficult aspect of downsizing is deciding what you can let go of and what you cannot live without. The first thing to consider is if the home you are looking for will fit the size of your current furniture. When we downsize, we look for something smaller to have less work in maintenance, and to spend more time doing the things we love. That does, however, mean we have less space for our things. Furniture, unless it holds fond memories, is an easy decision. You also don’t need to take your appliances with you unless you’re traveling a short distance. Keep things that have an emotional connection, such as photos and other pieces of your life. Also, take your wardrobe into consideration. If you have not worn something in recent memory, think about if you really need it. If not, it may be time to donate it.

Looking for Your Home

Your perfect home may not be in your immediate vicinity. It may be closer to family, friends, and across the country. In such cases, it’s wise to research an area online to better understand what the potential cost of housing will be in the size and location of your choice. It’s also important to determine how much house you can afford before you start shopping. You may want to move somewhere with a lower cost of living or better tax benefits than you currently have. However, you don’t want the community you choose to be too small, as that may mean fewer services will be available. If possible, visit the place you would like to retire to before you make a firm decision. You will want to learn about the area, how easy it will be to make friends, and if you will really love the climate. Regardless of where you choose, be absolutely certain it offers support to seniors, especially if you won’t be near family or established friends.

Plan for the Future

Even those of us who are fully able-bodied today may find that, as we age, we need different things from our homes. When scouting for a house to downsize into, look for ones that boast universal design. Such layouts are functional for those with and without disabilities. Single-story, or ranch-style, homes are a good idea, as they can protect your joints from stairs. Of course, you can always look for a home that appeals to you and modify it. For example, you may want farmhouse-style or a wraparound porch, but the only homes within your budget are not accessible. Many modifications can be done on a budget and easily installed. Grab bars are helpful in bathrooms (and can be installed for around $200), and it’s easy to replace handles for ones that are easy to turn. If there isn’t enough lighting, you may need to install additional light fixtures. The average cost of installing electrical switches, outlets, and fixtures in Boise ranges from $107 to $309.

Preparing for the Move

The best thing to do for a long move is to pack well so your moving process is as smooth as possible. You don’t just want to label your boxes as clearly as you can, but you want to ensure that they are packed full. If there is space at the top, there is space for your things to bang around and possibly break. If relocating across the country, the moving company you hired may have a large delivery window, in excess of three weeks. You will need enough clothing and other supplies to last the length of that period. Take all personal or expensive items you don’t want to lose with you personally, as you don’t want a nasty surprise of losing them in the process.

Downsizing does not mean downgrading. Often, moving to a smaller home can improve your overall quality of life. If you prepare well beforehand and think your move through, you may find yourself happier than you’ve ever been.

Image Courtesy of Pixabay.com

3 tips for patio renovation | E-Neighborhood Advisor

The Internet is filled with resources for every home improvement project. Tips and tricks abound, from cleaning and decorating to painting and renovating. When searching for different project ideas, you may find essays about other people’s personal experiences, or how-to posts filled with tips like these ones on patio makeover ideas

If this is your year to remodel, renew, or build a new patio, these tips will help you create the ideal outdoor setting.

Plan Ahead

You may have heard this phrase before: forewarned is forearmed!

The more you know about what your goals are, what you’ll need to accomplish them, and what pitfalls you might encounter, the better off you’ll be. Plan out as much as you can, from concept and design to timeline, materials needed, and budget.

Ask for Help

The more questions you ask, the more knowledge you’ll gain. Read reviews and ask friends and family in order to learn about the best contractors, designers, layout, landscaping, drainage, railings (or not), materials, etc.

If you plan to hire professionals, make sure you do your research beforehand. Know about their expertise and performance. Research them online. Look for reviews, talk to past clients about their experiences and outcomes, and be sure to get a legally signed contract before starting.

Enjoy the Process

Finally, it’s time to get started! As exciting as it is to have a project underway, and no matter how much you can’t wait to see the end result, you’ll need to be patient. Construction may feel overwhelming at times, but rushing things will only make the results worse. It will all come together before you know it, and soon you’ll be enjoying your new outdoor space.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

4 tips to keep your home safe while on vacation | E-Neighborhood Advisor

It's that time of year for so many of us – time to head out on a summer vacation!

No matter how long it’s been since your last vacation, it's always a good opportunity for rest, relaxation and a break from the daily routine. But before you head out, here are four tips to help keep your home safe and your mind at easy while you’re away.

1. Keep it Offline 

Criminally-minded people are always watching for opportunities. That’s why it’s vital not to tell everyone on social media that you’ll be away, or share photos and experiences from your vacation spot while you’re still out of your home. The fewer people who know your home will be empty, the better. Instead, save those photos and stories for when you’re back home. 

2. Ask a friend

If you’re going to be away for more than a day or two, consider having someone come by to check on your house. Of course, this is a must if you’ve got pets or plants that need tending to, but even if you don’t it can still be a good idea to have someone stopping by regularly. They can check the mail, bring newspapers in from the driveway, flip lights on and off, and generally make sure that everything is ok in your absence.

Alternatively, you can temporarily stop delivery of items that you regularly receive, like newspapers, milk, and mail, while you’re away.

3. Check the lights 

When you’re at home, you tend to use lights and electronics in a regular pattern – having lights and TVs on in your living areas during the evening, then lights in your bedrooms. If you don’t have anyone watching your house and turning lights on and off, it can be a big giveaway that nobody’s home. Consider investing in timers or apps to program your lights that can mimic a typical day while you’re away.

4. Don’t forget about the yard

If you have a landscaping service, this area is already taken care of. If you are your own landscaper, though, consider hiring a trusted friend or neighborhood teen to cut the grass and keep the yard clean while you’re away. That (along with keeping the mail emptied and the papers off the stoop) will ensure your house looks occupied.

Ultimately, the fewer people who know you’re away and the more your home reflects your daily living patterns while you’re on vacation, the more secure your home will be. I hope you enjoy your vacation, whenever it might be.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

Lighting can affect mood, sleep quality – and even your floors! | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Finding the right light source to match your decor can be tricky. After all, the lighting in a home is powerful. It's more than the look of a lamp or light fixture. The source light can affect your mood, energy, sleep quality. It can even impact how good the floors and tiles look in your home!

Before choosing lamps or fixtures for a room, consider the lighting needs. Will you need overall ambient lighting, task lighting, accent lighting, or a combination?

The second big decision about lighting is the type of light bulbs you want to use.

Halogen bulbs emit white light and are the closest to natural daylight. However, the color of objects under this kind of light is sharper. Halogen lights work well under cabinets and in pendant or pocket lights.

Fluorescent lighting is blueish and harsh, and tends to work best in areas like garages, basements, and attics.

However, compact fluorescent bulbs are not like standard fluorescent lighting. These bulbs can be used in place of incandescent bulbs and last 10x longer. Be aware that they contain trace amounts of mercury and should be recycled rather than thrown in the trash.

Incandescent bulbs have traditionally been the most common type. These warm, inviting lights compliment skin tones; however, they are not particularly energy efficient and are being phased out in many areas.

LED lights are long-lasting and extremely energy efficient. In fact, here are 21 Tips for LED Lighting in Your Home.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

Getting the most from your kitchen appliances | E-Neighborhood Advisor

The kitchen is one area where we spend our hard-earned money on appliances big and small, expecting them to protect our food, save our time, and clean our dishes. And while there’s a lot these machines can do for us, there is also some maintenance we need to do to ensure they last long, productive lives.

The Dishwasher 

The dishwasher helps us avoid standing at the sink washing one dish at a time. But the last thing we want to see after the wash cycle ends is a dish that’s been left dirty.  

Proper dish loading helps prevent that. For example, to allow water and soap to get easy access to the dirtiest part of the silverware, they should be loaded with the eating ends of the utensils facing upward. The only exception is sharp knives. For safety, they need to go into the basket blade down. Quickly see how to best load most dishwashers in this video.

The Refrigerator 

New refrigerators can do a lot. In fact, some can even sync your shopping list to your smartphone! One overlooked feature that you may not be using efficiently is the humidity setting on crisper drawers. As produce ages, it loses moisture. The adjustable humidity setting on those drawers is designed to help keep produce in the freshest state possible for as long as possible. Learn what to place in high or low humidity settings here.

No matter what the appliance, a quick review of the manual can be a great way to get basic information. If you want to learn even more, a simple Google search will often provide posts and videos like the ones linked here that reveal tips on how to get the most value, performance, and longevity from all your appliances.

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160

Keeping Renovation Stress Away | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Are you thinking about remodeling a room or area of your home – or maybe you already have a remodel scheduled? Day-to-day life can be stressful enough, and renovations even more so. Here are some tips to help keep that stress down. Educate Yourself on the Project When it comes to renovations, you want (NEED!) to know as much as possible. Educate yourself on everything about the project, from the scope of the project, the professionals required, the bylaws and licenses needed, and more. Learn About The Contractor Take the time to learn all you can about a contractor before hiring them. Know whether they will handle all tasks with their crew, or if they plan to hire subcontractors. Be sure that all companies (contractors and subcontractors) have the proper licensing and insurance. Also, know what your homeowner’s insurance will and won’t cover. During your research, ask for references and look online for reviews about the companies you are thinking about hiring. Know The Details Get clear about the project’s steps, timeline, and detailed costs. Ask about any unexpected expenses that might arise. Depending on the extent of your renovation, some issues may only be discovered after the removal of walls, floors, and fixtures. Knowing about potential issues can help prevent some unexpected add-ons. (A good contractor will offer this information without you having to ask for it.) Make Final Decisions Early Before your project begins, be as decisive as possible about the parameters of the project. Making changes to the project design, materials, appliances, fixtures, etc. after it has started can cost much more, and extend completion deadlines beyond the initial timeline expectations. When establishing the details of your project, be as open with your contractors as possible. For example, if you are struggling to visualize the completed project or want to see materials ahead of time, make sure the contractor knows. Communicating openly helps prevent unexpected issues. Plan, Plan, Plan! Everybody’s life gets thrown out of the comfort zone during a renovation, and that can strain relationships. During all the steps above – vetting the contractor, planning your desired reno, and finalizing all costs and decisions – be sure to discuss and agree on things with your partner. No matter what, when the renovation is happening, remember to breathe. It will be over before you know it! Your Flooring Consultant, Matt Capell Email: sales@capellinteriors.com Phone (208) 288-0151 Fax (208) 917-6160

Getting Food-Ready for a Power Outage | E-Neighborhood Advisor

Refrigerators and freezers are normally working hard to keep temperatures ideal for our food, but what if the power goes out?

In an emergency power outage situation, there's no way to know how long the power will remain off. It can also be difficult to predict whether you’ll be in a “typical” power outage situation, where you’re able to get more food, or a more dire scenario. Here’s how to cope either way:

Before The Power Goes Out

Be sure the temperature inside your appliances is where it needs to be: below 0 degrees Fahrenheit in the freezer, and 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit in the refrigerator. Add a proper fridge or freezer thermometers inside each refrigerator & freezer that you own (including a separate thermometer in the freezer compartment of the fridge).

In the event of a power outage, thermometers will come in handy to check the internal temperature when the power returns. Add large containers of water to the freezer, like empty pop bottles, to help keep the temperature cold as long as possible.

While You’re Without Power

Track how long the power is off and keep the cold in as long as possible. Do not open the fridge or freezer while the power is off in order to prevent premature warming. Unopened refrigerators can only keep food safely cool for about four hours, and full freezers can hold their temperature for approximately 48 hours.

When The Power Comes Back On

As soon as the power returns, check the temperature inside your appliances. If the temperature stays above 40-degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, dispose of any perishables: leftovers, meat, poultry, seafood, milk, yogurt, sour cream, butter, soy and nut milks, tofu, eggs, cut, prewashed and cooked fruit and vegetables, and condiments.

For freezers, check every package. If the temperature is safely below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the food still contains ice crystals, then it is safe to refreeze, but if it goes above 40 degrees follow the same procedure as the refrigerator. If food is no longer frozen but is at a safe temperature, then it needs to be cooked. Depending what you have, this may be a good time to consider soups, stews, and preparing precooked meals that can be frozen and reheated when it’s time to eat them. Those precooked meals are good to have on hand for busy nights and take-to-work lunches – especially after a trying situation like a power outage!

Your Flooring Consultant,

Matt Capell

Email: sales@capellinteriors.com

Phone (208) 288-0151

Fax (208) 917-6160