This summer's storms and widespread power outages mean it's time to add one more task to your family vacation to-do list: Put a penny in the freezer. Why? So you'll know if you had a power failure while you were gone that lasted long enough to thaw the food.

That's just one tip from Steve Ash, Service Director for PartSelect.com, a do-it-yourself appliance repair resource. He suggests placing the penny on top of an open container of ice. If there's a prolonged power failure in your absence, the ice will melt and the penny will drop to the bottom of the container. When you get home to find the penny frozen at the bottom of the ice container, you'll know to check the food before feeding it to your family.

Ash's other tips for preparing appliances for your family vacation absence include:

Refrigerator: Consume or discard any perishables before you leave. No one wants to come home to the smell of spoiled milk.

Garbage Disposal: Run a cycle to clean the unit and prevent odors from any buildup hiding beneath the drain while you’re away. Add a cup of vinegar to your rinse for an extra-deep clean.

Washer: Leave the lid/door open to let the basin dry completely. Chances are you’ll have plenty of laundry to do upon your return, so you’ll want the washer to be empty and fresh. And don’t forget to disconnect the unit’s water supply.

Before you walk out the door, unplug everything, including your dishwasher, washer, microwave and coffeemaker to conserve energy. And, of course, turn off and unplug the iron. If you have any worries about a potential flood, consider disconnecting the water supply to your appliances as well, particularly if you're planning and very long family vacation.

< Prev		Next >