Use Ice Cubes To Check Freezer Operation

If you're traveling, or need to leave your home when evacuated, place several ice cubes on a small plate and place them in the middle of your freezer. If you come home, and they are melted, immediately suspect that the food in your refrigerator may be bad. If they are still in cube forms, the freezer stayed cold enough while you were gone. Of course, flashing digital clocks are a great way to tell you lost power. However, you usually can' tell for how long. Over time the cubes may sublimate (evaporate) so keep that in mind too