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A single coin can help you tell if frozen food went bad during a power outage. Here's how

The technique is referred to as the "quarter freezer."

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's the middle of hurricane season, and many people in the Carolinas are staying prepared in a unique way.

Ahead of a big storm, some people will put quarters in their freezers. But why? Let's connect the dots.

The technique is referred to as the "quarter freezer." It's when people put a quarter on top of an already-frozen cup of water, then keep it in the freezer.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: NOAA releases updated Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook

It's an old trick to avoid eating spoiled food after an evacuation or power outage. If the quarter remains on top, it probably means the freezer kept its power. But if the quarter sunk, then the power most likely was out long enough for frozen items to thaw.

Some Carolinians even keep this trick going all year long, just in case a powerful storm blows through.

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