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Here’s a roundup of recommendations to keep you and your food safe during storms that knock out power – along with a quarter hack that also seems to make a lot of "cents."����vlog RESOURCESClosings | Interactive Radar | Weather AlertsPower outage map: Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives Outage MapReport power outages:MidAmerican EnergyAlliant EnergyBlack Hills EnergyAccess Energy CooperativeIowa Association of Electric CooperativesHere’s how the quarter hack worksIf you're worried about the food being safe to consume when the power returns, try this tip that originally came from Sheila Pulanco Russell in North Carolina years ago.As she explained in a Facebook post, all you need for this trick is a quarter and cup of water. Put the water in the freezer until it's frozen solid. Then, take it out and put a quarter on top of the ice. Return the cup — with the quarter — back to the freezer.All of that may seem pointless, but there's a reason this trick resurfaces time and time again. When power has been restored, if you find the quarter has moved to the bottom of the cup, then you'll know your food was unrefrigerated for a significant period of time and it's no longer safe to eat.If the quarter is in the middle, the food is likely still OK, but, as Russell advised if you don't feel good about your food, throw it out.Where you ideally want the quarter to be is exactly where you left it — on the top. That means your freezer's contents stayed frozen the entire time.One thing you don’t want to do is open the freezer to check on the quarter before power is restored.During a power outage, you should keep freezers and refrigerators closed, according to ready.gov.Weather Aware: Tips for keeping your house safe and warm during the cold weatherHow long can food last in the fridge or freezer after a power outage?You want to keep your refrigerator door closed because it can keep food cold for about four hours, according to ready.gov. A full freezer can keep its temperature for about 48 hours. That drops to 24 hours if the freezer is half full.A good rule of thumb is to throw out food if a thermometer shows the temperature at 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or if it has an unusual smell or color.If you don’t have a thermometer, your food could still be safe to refreeze or cook if it still has ice crystals, the Food and Drug Administration says.Weather Aware: How to be prepared for winter weather hazardsHere’s what else government agencies recommend to do for food safety before a power outageThe FDA recommends freezing containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in case the power goes out. You can also make ice cubes or freeze gel packs in advance.You can also consider freezing items like meat and poultry that you don’t need immediately.Grouping food together helps keep the food colder longer.What else you should do before an outage, according to ready.govHave alternate power sources like portable phone chargers and flashlights for every member of a house ready.Find out from your medical provider how long certain medications can be stored at higher temperatures.Never use a generator indoors or close to windows— KCRA's Daniel Macht and KMBC's JoBeth Davis contributed to this story.