Winter Weather Safety: Keep Your Fridge Running with the Patriot Power Generator 2000X

Winter Weather Safety Week is here, which means it’s time to talk about how to keep our essentials protected during power outages. One of the most common concerns we hear from our customers is how they can keep their refrigerators running to preserve food and medical supplies. Today, I’m here to share some valuable insights on how you can leverage the Patriot Power Generator 2000X to keep your fridge running smoothly, even during a blackout.

#1 Myth About Powering Your Fridge in a Blackout

It’s a common misconception that your fridge needs to run continuously to keep your food safe during a power outage. However, this approach can waste precious energy when you need it most. Here’s the reality:

Cycling Over Continuous Power: Your refrigerator operates on a cycle, turning the compressor on to cool and then off once the desired temperature is reached. This cycle doesn’t require continuous power. By plugging in your Patriot Power Generator 2000X when the compressor starts and unplugging it when it stops, you can significantly conserve power. All you have to do is listen. You’ll hear the compressor kick on and eventually turn off. Once it’s off, that’s your cue to unplug the generator.
Preparation Is Key: If you know a storm is coming, prepare by filling your fridge with water bottles or water-filled containers. This not only helps maintain the cold but reduces the need for the fridge to cycle on frequently. And remember, every time you open the fridge door, you’re letting out the cold air, so keep those door openings to a minimum!
Optimal Location: Place your fridge in a cooler part of your home, such as a basement or a cool kitchen corner. This natural cooling assistance reduces the workload on your fridge’s compressor, saving energy.
Smart Charging: Use the off-cycle times of your fridge to recharge your Patriot Power Generator 2000X with the included solar panel. You can keep your generator indoors, connect the panel, then position the solar panel in direct sunlight to optimize charging. And here’s a pro tip: you can increase your charging efficiency by ‘daisy chaining’ or connecting multiple solar panels to your generator. This is particularly useful on overcast days where your generator will still charge, but may be slower than on a sunny day.

Runtime Specs for Peace of Mind

The Patriot Power Generator 2000X is designed to keep your critical appliances running. Here’s what you can expect:

Full-size fridge (120W) can run for about 13.4 hours continuously or 53.7 hours cycling.
Mini fridge (80W) can run for about 20.2 hours continuously or an impressive 80.6 hours cycling.
Chest freezer (200W) can run for about 8.1 hours of continuous run time or 201.5 hours cycling.

*Note, run time results will vary based on usage conditions.

Temperature Monitoring for Food Safety

Maintaining a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit in your fridge is crucial for food safety. By following the cycling method with your Patriot Power Generator 2000X, you can ensure your food remains within this safe temperature range, even during prolonged blackouts.

Embrace Winter with Confidence

With the Patriot Power Generator 2000X, you’re not just purchasing a backup power source; you’re investing in peace of mind. By understanding the cycling needs of your refrigerator and utilizing smart charging techniques, you can navigate winter storms and unexpected blackouts with confidence, knowing your food and medical supplies are safe.

Remember, the key to weathering any storm is preparation. By following these tips, you can ensure that your Patriot Power Generator 2000X provides the support you need, exactly when you need it.

Tragedy and Triumph From Recent Killer Snowstorm

Seems like every year, Buffalo, New York gets blasted with a massive snowstorm. The combination of cold weather, sitting alongside Lake Erie, and being in the direct line of storms moving eastward is often the perfect storm for that city.

This year is no exception. The only difference is that it was far deadlier than normal. The recent snowstorm that dropped about four feet of snow in parts of the region ended up resulting in 27 deaths in and around Buffalo.

Overall across the country, the winter storm that eventually reached Buffalo killed nearly 50. So, more than one-half of those fatalities occurred in upper western New York.

When that much snow falls in that short of a time period, it’s nearly impossible for rescue crews to get through. Hence the large number of deaths.

Kathy Hochul is the governor of New York. She said, “This is a war with Mother Nature. And she has been hitting us with everything she has.”

Tour Group Receives Unexpected Hospitality

But Americans are resilient. And for every death there was at least one story of survival and heroism. Thanks to Good Samaritans who risked their own safety to help others. Today I’d like to tell you about a few of them.

Headed for Niagara Falls, a tour group from South Korea got stuck in the snow while in a van. Two of the tour group members knocked on the door of a nearby house to request the use of shovels.

The homeowners, Andrea and Alexander Campagna, did much more than loan their shovels. They invited the nine travelers and their tour van driver in to spend the weekend.

One of the tour group members said, “It was kind of like fate.” He described the couple as “the kindest people I have ever met.”

Christmas in a Firehouse

A family of six living in Williamsville, near Buffalo, lost power in their home. They tried to get to a hotel, but were stranded in the snow along the way.

Firefighters risked their own necks by conducting a rescue, taking the family back to their fire station. The couple’s four children ranged in age from nine months to eight years.

But that’s not all the firefighters did. Because it was Christmas Eve and they didn’t want the children to be disappointed, they scrounged up some makeshift presents for the kids.

It wasn’t exactly how the couple, Demetrice and Danielle, wanted to spend a holiday. But they were very grateful for the kindness of the firefighters.

A Cyber Baby Delivery

And what’s a rescue saga without a childbirth story? Erica Thomas, whose baby was due on Christmas, started to feel contractions two days earlier. Just as the blizzard was peaking.

She and her husband, Davon, lived only five miles from the hospital where they planned to have the baby. But they couldn’t get through the storm. And paramedics were unable to get to their home.

The couple connected with a Buffalo blizzard Facebook group where they received step by step directions on how to deliver their baby at home. Erica gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

The next day, a neighbor showed up at their home, walked them to his truck, and drove them to the hospital. No wonder Buffalo is known as “The City of Good Neighbors.”

Less Than 50% of Americans Are Prepared

As intense as the snowstorm in Buffalo was, it was not unprecedented. And it’s likely to occur again someday.

Extreme weather is increasing across the country. Both in the number of events and in their severity. According to a new government preparedness report, 60 weather-related disasters caused 1,460 fatalities and 2,939 injuries in the U.S. over three years.

The study also revealed that less than 50% of Americans are prepared for an emergency. And two-thirds don’t feel prepared enough.

Forty-two percent of respondents to the government survey said they plan to prepare for identified threats and hazards in the future. But they haven’t started to do so yet.

‘It Will Never Happen to Us’

Here are some of their statements explaining why:

“It won’t happen to me.”
“It wasn’t so bad last time.”
“(Storms) aren’t as devastating as they seem.”
“If I evacuate, my home will be looted.”
“I cannot afford to evacuate.”

For others, it’s all about procrastination. They know they need to do something to prepare, but they just keep putting it off. And the longer nothing significant happens, the concern becomes out of sight, out of mind.

The fact is, nearly 70% of the nation’s electric grids are more than 25 years old. Record heat waves, winter storms, and drought are pushing vulnerable electric grids to their breaking points.

This impacts all regions of the U.S. As an example, a December 2022 arctic blast greatly impacted many power-generating centers. It left 6.3 million households without power during part of the storm.

Folks, the best time to prepare for the inevitable was years ago. But the second best time is now. Don’t let that time slip away.

Are You Prepared for a Winter Roadside Emergency?

Quite a few years ago when our kids were young, I was driving with my 6-year-old son in the backseat.

It was snowing and the highway was slick, so I was driving about 10 miles per hour under the speed limit.

We were only about 15 minutes from home that night when the car engine died. I had to pull off to the side of the road. I’ll admit it… I was scared.

I used my cellphone to call 911. That 30-minute wait seemed like a couple of hours as I watched cars and trucks barreling past us. I repeatedly prayed they would not slide into us.

Stuff you really need to know

That story had a happy ending. We were rescued and my car was towed to the dealer’s location to be repaired.

But it made me take another look at my preparedness level for those types of incidents. And it influenced me to be better prepared for winter roadside emergencies.

Today I want to discuss some of the things you can do to be better prepared for such an occurrence. As well as what you can do once you’re in it.

This is the type of information everyone should know about. So please feel free to forward this email to family members and friends.

5,000 annual road fatalities due to weather

First and foremost, if you can avoid driving or riding in a vehicle during winter weather events, please do so. Arriving somewhere you want to be a few hours or a day later than planned is better than not arriving at all.

More than 5,000 fatalities occur on American roadways every year due to weather conditions. You do not want to be one of those statistics.

If you must drive during a winter snowfall, make sure your vehicle is completely clear of ice and snow prior to your departure. Snow could fly off the top of your car and land on the windshield of a vehicle behind you. Also, make sure your wipers are working properly.

Let a family member or friend know when you’re leaving and where you’re headed. Including which route you’re planning to take.

Slow down and stay alive

Prior to leaving, make sure your cellphone is fully charged and your car charger is working. Also, keep an emergency car kit in your vehicle. Among the items that should be included are water, non-perishable food, at least one flashlight, a blanket, and extra clothing and coats.

Once you’re out on the road, slow down. The speed limit is meant for perfect road conditions. If that irritates a driver behind you, so be it.

During snowfall, cars will skid much more easily. If this happens while you’re driving, try to remain calm. Ease your foot off the gas pedal and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of your car to go.

If you have an anti-lock braking system, don’t pump your brakes. Just apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.

If you’re having trouble seeing due to weather conditions, perhaps due to your defroster not working well enough, pull over to the side of the road. Stop until you have better visibility.

Turn off your headlights so that drivers behind you will not see your rear lights and mistakenly follow your car. But if you have flashers and flares, use them.

What to do if you’re stuck

Sometimes snowfall is so intense that it builds up quickly and causes vehicles to get stuck. If that happens, here are some things you can do to stay safe…

Stay in your vehicle. Leaving your car can make you more vulnerable to injury.

Turn your car on and run the heat for about 10 minutes each hour until help comes to stay warm.

When it’s safe to do so, slip out of your car briefly to make sure there’s no snow in your exhaust pipe. A blockage could release toxic fumes into your car.

Crack one of your car windows for some fresh air. This will help you avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Stay visible to rescuers. Turn on your inside dome light while the engine is running, or keep a flashlight on in your car.

If you have a bright colored cloth, tie it to your antenna or door to attract attention.

Finally, when the snow stops, raise the hood of your car to indicate you need help.

If you have to wait for an extended period of time, move your arms and legs as much as possible to keep your blood circulating properly.

Your turn to take the wheel

Thanks for reading. I hope this information is helpful if you ever find yourself in a roadside emergency situation.

But this is a two-way street. I’d love to learn from you as well.

Have you ever had a winter roadside emergency? If so, please let our readers and me know what happened in the comments section below. As well as what you did to survive it.

Stay safe out there. There is still plenty of winter weather ahead of us.

Your Winter Survival Staples for the Kitchen

If we asked 100 people to name their top staple food items, we’d probably get 100 different answers.

Canned or freeze-dried beans might be on one person’s list but not another’s. Nut butters could be on some lists but be missing from others.

But I think just about everyone would have at least a few of the same staples on their list. Including milk, eggs, and butter.

Each of them is an item we can usually find easily enough when we go to the grocery store. They may be priced higher than we’d like, but at least they’re normally available.

But here’s the problem. If you don’t stock up on those important staple food items – especially now during the winter – you might be out of luck when a crisis occurs. That’s because they’ll be among the first items scooped up when panic mode sets in.

11 staples you don’t want to be without

Today I want to discuss the most essential staples you should keep in your home at all times. Extra points for you if they have a long shelf life. We never know how long the next emergency situation will last, or how winter weather could keep us cooped up at home.

In no particular order, here are my top 11 staple food items:

Water. This should be in everyone’s survival pantry. You need it to make food, brew coffee, and stay hydrated. Many folks use water bricks to keep their water safe.

Meat. Everyone should have a stash of meat in their stockpile. After all, it’s essential for building muscle, and the protein helps keep you full. Survival meat kits do not require refrigeration, which is crucial during a winter power outage.

Milk. Speaking of protein, milk provides plenty of it. And it’s one of the first things to sell out when stuff hits the fan. It’s important to have your own supply on hand for emergencies. With shelf-stable milk you don’t have to worry about spoilage.

Eggs. Another great source of protein is eggs. And just about everyone I know loves the taste of them. You can enjoy this versatile food at any meal. And they mix well with veggies and potatoes.

Butter. You might not see butter on every list of healthy food staples. But personally, I would not want to be without it. Butter is made from the proteins and fats found in milk and cream. Can you imagine eating a baked potato without it?

Freeze-dried fruit. You might not find this on most staples lists either, but it provides some nice variety to avoid food fatigue.

Nut butters. This is one I mentioned earlier. Flavors include peanut, almond, and cashew. Select ones that don’t have a lot of additives including sugar.

Whole grains. These are a great staple because they can be used in so many different recipes. Rice, oats, barley, and quinoa are just a few. They can be used to make oatmeal, pasta, and soups, and are good sources of fiber and micronutrients.

Fats. Healthy fats including olive oil, coconut oil, and ghee have a shelf life up to a year. Cooking with them not only adds flavor, but also aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in other foods.

Yogurt. Like eggs, yogurt is a versatile staple that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Add it to smoothies, enjoy it with berries and other fruit, and even use it to add creaminess to sauces and soups.

Nuts and seeds. Nuts including almonds, walnuts, and pistachios provide healthy fats we need. And they store well in airtight containers. They’re great to mix with other foods including salads and yogurt. Or just eat them plain as a snack. Tasty and healthy seeds include sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.

By storing a variety of healthy and great-tasting staples, you’ll be prepared when suddenly they’re unavailable at the store due to a crisis.

What’s the (Food) Spread for the Big Game?

More than 110 million Americans are expected to watch the Big Game a week from this Sunday. You may be one of them.

Some people will watch it in restaurants and bars. Others will view it at parties. Some folks will sit quietly at home and watch it by themselves or with family members.

The one thing nearly all of these viewers will have in common is that they’ll eat during the game. This is the one game of the year in which the “spread” is more about food than it is about points.

But will Big Game partiers be able to eat the foods they most enjoy during this annual event? Or will they experience shortages of some of the items they are used to consuming on this annual occasion?

Running Out of the Runner-Up?

They say chicken is the second most popular Big Game food, behind pizza. Especially chicken wings. But the availability of chicken is not what it used to be. And the price is higher than before.

According to USFoods.com, prices have risen for some chicken parts. Including small, medium, and large chicken wings.

And the National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that the number of chicken eggs placed in incubators last month is down from the previous year.

In past years, Americans consumed more than 100 million pounds of chicken wings on the day of the Big Game. That represents more than 1.25 billion individual wings.

But based on less availability and higher prices, that could change this year. You may see less chicken on your plate than you have in past years while you’re enjoying the country’s most highly watched TV program of the year.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Of course, millions of people will be dining on other foods besides pizza and chicken while watching the Big Game.

Here are some of them, in no particular order:

Meatballs
Guacamole
Chips and salsa
Tater tots
Chili
Buffalo wings
Hummus
Nachos
Pigs in a blanket
Spinach artichoke dip

Some Stately Food Choices

Now, people in some states may prefer one particular food on Big Game Sunday, while folks in another state might prefer a different one.

Here’s how this breaks down:

Chili – Most popular in Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri.

Meatballs – Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Chips & salsa – Arizona, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Texas.

Nachos – California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.

Pigs in a blanket – Georgia, Michigan, and Tennessee.

Buffalo wings – Illinois, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Tater tots – Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota

Queso – Alaska, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

Fried Pickles – Arkansas.

Garlic knots – Colorado.

Crab ball – Delaware.

Guacamole – Florida.

Seven-layer dip – Idaho and Utah.

Spinach and artichoke dip – Louisiana.

Mozzarella sticks – Nebraska.

Hummus – Nevada and Washington.

Sweet potato fries – Oregon.

Garlic parmesan wings – Rhode Island.

Chili dog – South Carolina.

Pepperoni roll – West Virginia.

Here’s What You May Notice Missing

The problem this year is that some of those food items could be in shorter supply during 2024. Due to extreme weather events, labor shortages, and supply chain issues, among others. Stocking up on them now – if you can – is a good idea.

Among those food items are:

Spices. You might notice more bland dips than usual at your Big Game party.
Dairy products. It’s costing farmers more money to feed their cows these days.
Eggs. Fewer chickens equals fewer eggs.
Seafood. Overfishing and water pollution is keeping fish populations down.
Grains. Droughts and floods have wreaked havoc with grains grown in the Heartland. This can affect the amount of pasta and rice that are available.
Fresh produce. International trade tensions are a factor, as well as rising fuel costs.
Meat and poultry. The lack of food for cows and pigs, and diseases affecting chickens, are cutting production.

Statistics for Your Scorecard

Would you like to hear some other Big Game food statistics? Here goes…

Big Game Sunday is the second most popular day to order takeout. Thanksgiving is first.
One in seven Americans orders takeout on Big Game Sunday.
More than 50% of Americans who eat chicken wings prefer ranch dressing as a dip.
The two most popular foods to dip are veggies and chips. Well over 11 million pounds of veggies and chips will be dipped on Big Game Sunday.
Despite the cold in many areas of the country, the weekend of the Big Game is the second biggest grilling time of the year, behind only the Fourth of July.

Preparation for the Win

Many of us will be watching the Big Game, regardless of whether we have a rooting interest in one of the teams.

But nearly all of us will be eating during the game and that’s something I think we all have an interest in.

No matter where we watch it, perhaps we won’t enjoy all of the foods we normally do. But that doesn’t mean we can’t stock up on the food items we do like best.

And if the trend of higher prices and less availability continues – and some of the items we store have a long shelf life – perhaps we’ll put them out next year around this time. Our Big Game party guests will be impressed.

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Keep Food Cold

With the recent arctic blast of cold air still fresh in our minds, keeping something cold doesn’t feel like much of a challenge. That unwelcome polar vortex covered nearly the entire country and resulted in ridiculously low temperatures for over a week.

But now that America has thawed and we can move our fingers and toes again, we’re reminded of something. Keeping food cold when the power is out is not so simple. No matter how cold it is outside.

During a power outage, food can spoil quickly. As a general rule, food in a refrigerator should be good for four hours after the power goes out. In a freezer, it should stay safe for 24 to 48 hours.

Obviously when an outage lasts longer than that, you’re in danger of losing the food you worked hard to buy. And what you need to feed yourself and your family.

These errors could cost you

Unfortunately, too many people have wrong ideas about how to protect their food. And then they pay a price for their errors.

Best case scenario, they have to throw out food they thought they were protecting. Worst case scenario, they get sick from eating it.

Today I want to share with you what I consider the 5 most common mistakes folks make while trying to keep their food from spoiling during a blackout.

So, let’s get started.

Please… DON’T store your food in the snow

Sometimes what seems to be perfectly logical is not necessarily a good idea. Taking food that’s starting to get warm and putting it in something cold would seem like the right thing to do.

Alas, that’s not the case with placing food in snow. The U.S. Department of Agriculture warns against this practice.

One reason is that the sun’s rays (even through clouds) could warm your food more effectively than snow will keep it cold.

A second reason is that critters could access your food. Or at the very least, contaminate it with their very natural but unsanitary habits.

Stop checking on it

During a power outage, there is a natural tendency to want to make sure refrigerated and frozen foods are still good.

But unless you have a little man inside your fridge calling you to communicate that information, opening those doors is a mistake. Each time you do it, warm air gets in, which shortens the lifespan of your food.

So, unless you need to remove an item from your refrigerator or freezer in order to eat it or cook it, keep those doors closed.

In order to keep your refrigerated food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, keeping the door closed should give you those four hours you need to avoid spoilage.

There IS a right way to load up your fridge & freezer

A second common mistake when it comes to trying to keep food cold during an outage is randomly placing food in your fridge.

First of all, try to keep your fridge and freezer as full as possible. Food stays safer in fuller compartments than in half-full ones. If that is impossible, at least group your foods together rather than having them spread out.

Also – and this is equally important – strategically place your food in the fridge depending on what it is. Keep fruits and vegetables on higher level shelves, with meat, poultry, and fish on lower level shelves.

Why? Because heat rises, even inside a refrigerator. The bottom section of your refrigerator is colder than the top, so that’s where you want to place foods that benefit from colder temps. Such as meat, poultry, and fish.

Ice is your friend in an outage

If a blackout lasts long enough, you’re going to need to transfer food from your fridge and freezer to a cooler. If you have ice you can place in that cooler, it will significantly lengthen the life of your food.

So, keep a bag of ice in your kitchen freezer, as well as in your basement or garage freezer, for this situation. And, of course, make sure your kitchen freezer ice trays stay full. You can also use frozen gel packs.

Freezing water in Tupperware containers is another way to have ice available. Be careful not to fill those containers, however. They could break because water expands when it freezes.

What if you have food in a cooler with ice but the outage continues? Eventually you’ll want to put that cooler outside. Just make sure no critter can get inside it.

When in doubt, throw it out

Some people make a decision as to whether to eat something by the way it smells. Or by taking a small taste of it. That’s like determining whether or not a gun is loaded by pulling the trigger.

Some foods can start to spoil without any telltale signs. It may smell fine or may even taste OK. But if it’s starting to spoil, you could get sick from it.

The best way to ensure if a food item has spoiled in a fridge or freezer that has lost power is with a thermometer inside it. They’re affordable and very useful. If you have a newer fridge, it will display temperatures on the outside of the door.

If you don’t have a thermometer or a newer fridge, err on the side of caution. And remember this phrase: when in doubt, throw it out.

A lifesaving 25-cent hack

Before I let you go, let me share a hack you may not be familiar with. Let’s say you’ve been outside your home for a while. When you come home, you realize the power is out. But you don’t know how long it’s been out.

The solution to this dilemma is to have a cup of frozen water in your freezer with a quarter placed on top of the ice.

When you return home, if you see that the coin sank into the ice, that means the power has been out for a while. If it’s still on top of the ice, then the power must have gone out very recently.

The key is to use wise methods to keep your food cold in an outage, and avoid the 5 common mistakes above. If you have any other tried and true methods to accomplish this goal, please share them in the comments section.

Ways to Stay Warm and Keep Food Cold During Winter Outages

With the seemingly unending winter storms continuing to pelt most of the nation, power outages are inevitable.

In fact, millions of Americans have already lost power this winter. Due to blizzards, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes.

There is plenty of winter weather to come. And it’s certain to bring more outages. That makes figuring out how to keep yourself warm and your food cold is important.

That’s what I want to talk about today. There are a number of things you can do to make miserable winter weather bearable.

Break out the blankets: How to warm up

First, let’s take a look at ways to keep your home as warm as possible during a blackout. Some are pretty simple, while others you may not have considered before.

The single best thing you can do to keep warm in your home during an outage is to use a solar-powered generator. It will allow you to keep lights on and use helpful items like heated blankets.

Keep your curtains open during the day if the sun is out. And keep them closed at night. You’ll get a greenhouse effect during the day, even if the air is cold outside. And at night you’ll keep some of that cold air from seeping in, especially if you have thick curtains.

Keep doors closed in rooms that are seldom or never used. That will help keep cold air from those rooms out of the rooms you use more often. And help keep whatever warm air you’ve got going in some rooms out of those unused rooms.

As much as possible, get all of your household members to spend as much time as possible in one room. That will limit the number of rooms you need to heat through other means. And there’s definitely something to be said for body heat.

If you have a gas oven that is not dependent on electricity, cook meals each day. That will help spread some heat throughout your home.

If you have a fireplace, this could be a good time to use it. Some of the heat produced by the fire will escape through the flue, of course, but some will also move into the room where family members are gathered. Candles can also produce heat, but caution must be taken.

The older your home is, the more likely there are some air leaks in your windows and frames. Applying tape or plastic can help keep that air outside where it belongs.

Insulate water pipes to keep them from freezing and possibly bursting. Keep a slow but steady drip coming from each faucet in your home.

4 hours until your food’s at risk…

And now it’s time to take a look at how to keep your food cold during a winter power outage. Not to mention certain medicines that need to stay cold.

As a general rule, food in a refrigerator should be good for four hours after the power goes out. In a freezer, it should stay safe for 24 to 48 hours.

But when an outage extends longer than those time periods, that spells trouble. You’re in danger of losing the food you need to feed yourself and your family.

Fortunately, there are some tips and tricks to help you keep your food safe longer. They just might come in handy next time a power outage occurs in your neck of the woods.

Keep those doors closed

Here’s something to always remember. When the power goes out, there is a temptation to open the freezer and refrigerator periodically.

Understandably, people want to check on the status of their food. But don’t do it. Every time those doors open, warm air gets in. That shortens the life of your food.

Keep your freezer and refrigerator doors closed except for removing an item you want to cook or eat right away. Or quickly moving some items from the refrigerator to the freezer.

The magic temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can keep your food at that temperature or lower, it should be safe to eat. Keeping the doors closed will help.

Food safety tip: meat down, veggies up

Whenever possible, keep your freezer and refrigerator full. Food will stay safe during a power outage in a full freezer longer than in a half-full freezer. Same with your refrigerator.

If your refrigerator or freezer is not full, at least group your foods together. Rather than having them spread out.

Because heat rises – even inside a refrigerator – the bottom portion of your refrigerator is colder than the top.

So, keep meat and fish in the lower levels. Fruits and vegetables can be placed on the higher shelves.

Stock the freezer with…water

The more ice you have available, the better you can keep your food cold during a blackout.

In addition to filling your ice trays regularly, place a couple of bags of ice in your kitchen or garage freezer.

You could even freeze water in Tupperware containers. But don’t fill them, because water expands when it freezes. It might break those containers.

When a blackout extends beyond several hours, you can put ice in coolers. Then move some food from your freezer and refrigerator to those coolers.

And if it’s colder outside than inside, you might want to set those coolers outside your door.

Thermometer beats a taste test

Earlier I mentioned you don’t want your refrigerated food to get above 45 degrees. The best way to ensure that is by keeping a thermometer inside your refrigerator and freezer.

These thermometers are inexpensive. They are a big help in determining whether food has gone bad during and following an outage. Newer refrigerators have displays on the outside of the door to let you know your freezer and fridge temps.

If you don’t have a thermometer, don’t make the mistake of testing your food by tasting it. You’re better off throwing something out than getting sick from eating it.

Refrigerated perishable food will go bad after four hours. Including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and leftovers. When in doubt, toss it out.

FREE Freedom Fridge? Yes!

So, if your power is out and you’re approaching the time when food could start to go bad, what do you do? The answer is the solar-powered and portable Freedom Fridge from 4Patriots. And for a limited time, you can get one for FREE.

When you claim a Patriot Power Generator 1800, you’ll score a FREE Freedom Fridge on us. It weighs only 17 pounds and it can keep your food cool or warm!

You can run this food locker for up to 30,000 hours over its lifetime. And while it’s perfect for an emergency situation, you can also take it with you for RV trips, camping, or even the grandkids’ soccer games.

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Here’s how to get yours…

America’s Infrastructure Isn’t Built for This…

When was the last time you looked at a U.S. weather map and saw clear skies across the country?

I honestly can’t remember the last time for me. And it’s not just isolated winter storms here and there. They’re all over the country almost every day. Some are so massive they cover dozens of states.

They say El Niño is responsible. This weather pattern normally brings wet and warm weather with it. Well, we’re getting the wet, but not so much the warmth.

Nearly the entire country was recently in the grips of a brutal arctic blast. No offense to El Niño, but it is no match for a polar vortex. The vortex will send El Niño to the canvas every time they enter the ring together.

Outages All Too Frequent

Recent winter storms, blizzards, and tornadoes resulted in well over 1 million homes and businesses losing power. Not to mention over $1 billion in damages.

Now, if our country’s infrastructure was solid enough to handle severe winter weather, hearty Americans could deal with it. Even the most violent storms and arctic blasts subside eventually.

But the problem is that our frail, aging infrastructure is incapable of handling extreme weather. Power outages occur almost every time a winter storm breaks out.

People shiver in their homes and try to survive until power comes back on. Sometimes that’s only a matter of hours. Other times it can be days or weeks.

70% Caused by Weather

It’s easy to say extreme weather affects our country’s infrastructure. But let’s take a closer look at why this happens.

The U.S. Department of Energy tells us 70% of power outages in the U.S. are caused by weather-related grid disruptions.

The actual cause of those disruptions is usually strong winds and falling trees damaging transmission lines. Consider yourself fortunate if you live in a neighborhood where transmission lines are buried underground.

Another major problem is overloaded systems. When temperatures get too cold, everyone is running their furnaces more than usual. And when it gets too hot, air conditioners get a heavy workout.

This puts a strain on the electric grid and can overload the system. These days, rolling blackouts are used to avoid a total collapse. They are an inconvenience, but are worth it if they prevent a long-lasting blackout.

Ice & Flooding Contribute

During the winter, even if no trees fall on power lines, ice can accumulate on those lines. That can result in equipment being damaged and wires going down. Widespread blackouts can occur.

Flooding is another big issue, especially in the South. As well as when winter snow turns into rain in other parts of the country as temperatures warm.

That flooding can cause power disruptions due to damaged equipment. It can also make roads impassable.

And if utility crews can’t access the impacted areas due to flooding, power outages last even longer than they would otherwise.

Power Failures Can Be Deadly

Winter storms not only affect the availability of electrical power. They also result in economic losses. Without power, many businesses have to temporarily shut down. It’s estimated that $150 billion in losses occurred in the U.S. in a recent year due to weather.

Communications are also negatively affected by the increase in the number and severity of winter storms. Phone networks and Internet services have been temporarily shut down. Which means it’s impossible to reach emergency response crews.

Grid failures have led to many deaths from the cold. Those unable to bug out must hunker down. And that doesn’t always end well.

And even the survivors have to deal with infrastructure damage caused by the storms. The grid often requires costly and time-consuming repairs before things return to “normal.”

You Can’t Count on FEMA

For those counting on FEMA to save them in an emergency, well, I admire their faith. But I question their logic.

The truth is, the government probably won’t be able to get to you soon enough to help you avoid the misery power outages cause.

By its own admission, FEMA is understaffed and underfunded. That’s why their website encourages people to prepare as much as possible.

They know they are incapable of doing what they were designed to do. Especially during those first crucial 48 to 72 hours. If FEMA realizes that people need to prepare for emergencies, we certainly should as well.

Working on the Problems

Now, the government is well aware of these problems. And there are a number of initiatives underway to combat them.

They are working on smart grid systems with advanced monitoring systems. They‘re encouraging the use of solar panels and wind turbines to reduce reliance on centralized grids.

Another project is microgrids, which are more localized and can work independently when a widespread grid failure occurs.

They’re trying to improve early warning systems. That could result in preemptive power shutdowns and the reinforcement of vulnerable infrastructure.

Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

That’s all well and good. And I’m glad they’re taking the situation seriously. But the bottom line is, none of these fixes are going to help us in the near future.

Extreme weather isn’t going away. By all indications, it will continue to ramp up. That means more frequent storms and more severe storms.

It’s up to every American to protect themselves and their families with backup power. You might not be able to afford an entire home generator system, but backup power of any kind can at least keep some devices functioning.

And that could mean the difference between life and death.

Wilderness Water? It May Be Growing Rather Than Flowing

We’ve all heard plenty of stories about people who survived when lost in the wild. Some of them did it by using their wits. Some by eating berries. And others by hunting or fishing.

But very few survived for long without finding a drinkable water source. Often that source is a river, stream, lake, or creek. And ideally the survivor is carrying some sort of water purifier.

If you’re lost in the wilderness, you might not be able to find an obvious water source. But you may be able to get enough water to survive until you’re rescued from an unlikely source. I’m talking about plants.

Today I want to share some ways to access water from what you see growing around you.

Can plants quench your thirst?

Why can plants supply water to a thirsty wilderness wanderer? Because they are constantly absorbing water from the ground.

And as an added benefit, plants frequently filter out a variety of impurities during this natural process.

When they transpire water – in other words, when water vapor evaporates from the plant’s leaves – that water can be collected.

And the plant is none the worse for wear when this occurs. You can collect water from its various branches and leaves over and over again. Without harming the plant.

What’s the old bag & string trick?

OK, so what’s the best way to collect this precious water during a survival situation? You don’t need much in the way of supplies. Just a clear plastic bag (with no holes in it) and a piece of string. And, of course, a plant.

If you have a choice of plants, select one with the largest green leaves. And one that gets plenty of sunlight. The transpiration process is accelerated by the sun’s heat.

After shaking the branch to get rid of insects and debris, cover as many leaves as possible with your plastic bag. Then tie the string around it tightly.

The tie should be at a higher level than the bottom of the bag so that gravity can do its job. Water will find its lowest level.

You’re going to need a t-shirt…

Now, I’m not going to tell you this is a speedy process. It’s not. You may need four hours just to get one-third of a cup of water.

But if you have plenty of plastic bags and string, and there are lots of plants around with green leaves, you can significantly increase your water collection.

When you’re ready to extract water from the bag, cut a small hole in the bag at its lowest point while holding a cup or other container under it.

If you’re parched, you’ll probably pour this water down your throat as quickly as possible. But to be on the safe side, filter it through a fabric such as a t-shirt.

Or a cup and a drill…

Now, what if there are no plants with green leaves in your vicinity? And the leaves growing on trees are too high to reach?

Well, you can still extract water from those trees. Here’s how. Cut a small piece of a branch roughly the width of your arm at a 90-degree angle.

Tie that piece of wood to a tree so that the flat end is facing up. Place your cup or other small receptacle on top of the flat surface.

About six inches above the cup, drill a hole in the tree that’s roughly the thickness of your index finger. Place a small tube or grooved stick into the hole and water will seep out and land in the cup.

But DON’T drink from this

OK, Frank, but what if I’m in the desert and the only things growing around me are cacti? Can I get enough water out of them to survive?

Honestly, probably not. And even if you are able to extract water from our prickly desert friends, it’s very likely toxic.

The liquid produced by a cactus is extremely acidic. This can cause serious side effects like vomiting, which will only dehydrate you more. That’s the last thing you need when you’re trying to survive. The lesson here is to stay out of the desert without a good supply of clean water.

But when you’re in the woods or the wilderness, plants and trees can provide enough water to keep you going until you’re rescued.

America’s Enemies Continue to Play a Dangerous Game

Tick, tick, tick… Is anybody else hearing a ticking time bomb these days? If you’re keeping an eye on the news, I’m guessing you are.

War in Ukraine between Russia and the country it attacked for no good reason. War in the Middle East following Hamas’ brutal attack against Israel.

Chinese and Russian warplanes entering the defense zones of Japan and South Korea. China floating a spy balloon over America. And infiltrating our critical cyber infrastructure.

It seems like everyone is itching for a fight these days. It’s no wonder many people are getting nervous. Especially considering the firepower many countries possess and the increasing strength of artificial intelligence.

That’s what I’d like to discuss with you today. A little later I’m going to ask you to contribute your thoughts, theories, or opinions about world conditions. And what the future might hold for us.

Undetected Cyber Infrastructure Attacks

Let’s start with cyber activity. According to a recent Fox News report, China infiltrated America’s cyber infrastructure over a year ago. Undetected.

Here are the targets we now know about: a water utility in Hawaii, a port on the U.S. West Coast, and an oil and gas pipeline.

There are probably many more. In fact, the Washington Post reports this about hackers associated with China’s People’s Liberation Army. They’ve gained access to at least 25 critical U.S. systems.

Their goal is to disrupt logistics, create chaos, and cause panic. And it works. It wasn’t that long ago that a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline caused fuel prices to rise on our East Coast. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) got involved quickly.

Attacking From Within

Jen Easterly is director of the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. She was reported as saying that Chinese cyber activity used to be centered on political and economic espionage.

Now it’s focused on gaining a foothold in America’s cyber infrastructure for an obvious reason. China desires the ability to cause a cascading cyberattack against the U.S. to accomplish its goals.

Some U.S. power companies are better protected than others. But they are all vulnerable to attacks by Chinese hackers.

A power grid privately operated in Texas has been under a cyberattack in recent months. As have several electric utilities outside the U.S.

Taiwan at Center of Hawaii Attack

Some may wonder why the Chinese have targeted Hawaii. Others feel the answer is obvious. China has made no secret of the fact that it wants to “reunify” with Taiwan. Taiwan wishes to remain independent.

China could potentially disrupt an American response to its attack on Taiwan with a cyberattack in Hawaii just prior to its physical attack.

What is America doing to protect itself from cyberattacks from China? The National Security Agency is encouraging utilities to make their security more robust.

Among their recommendations are the use of physical security keys. As well as hardware tokens for protection of property and intelligence files.

How to Protect Yourself

Individual Americans can also help protect themselves from cyberattacks. Here are five ways to do that:

Regularly update and strengthen passwords. Use a mix of characters, numbers, and symbols.
Enable multi-factor authentication on all personal accounts.
Remain vigilant against phishing attempts. Don’t click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Keep all software up to date with the latest security patches. Including antivirus and operating systems.
Be cautious about the amount of personal information shared online.

Japan & South Korea Scramble Jets

Now back to provocative actions taken outside of cyberspace. Recently South Korea and Japan scrambled its jets. That was in response to Chinese and Russian warplanes entering their defense zones.

For you aircraft buffs, the planes were China’s H-6, J-16 and Y-8. And Russia’s Tu-95 and Su-35. They were flying toward the East China Sea through the channel between Japan and South Korea.

The aircraft did not violate South Korea’s territorial airspace. That’s protected by international laws. But they did enter the country’s Air Defense Identification Zone.

Russian officials justify their actions by saying they don’t recognize South Korea’s air defense zone. Chinese officials say that because the zone is not in territorial airspace, there is no violation.

What Do You Think?

As I mentioned earlier, we at 4Patriots are very interested in your opinions. We believe we’re living in very scary times.

It feels like we’re sitting on a powder keg. And all it would take is one more provocative move by a foreign power to launch an all-out war.

In fact, we’re already at war when it comes to technology. A number of countries are doing everything they can to disrupt life here by causing security breaches. As well as in other freedom-loving countries.

What do you think about what’s going on in the world today? And what the future looks like for Americans?

Category: 4 Patriots