1.

Don't Panic!

2.

Keep the doors of the freezer shut.

3.

Check that it is still switched on at the mains.

4.

Replace the fuse.

5.

Check with friends and neighbours if they can store your frozen food.

6.

Call a service engineer - if the engineer is likely to be prompt keep the freezer door closed.  Depending upon how full the freezer is, produce can remain frozen for 24 hours or more.  The more full the freezer, the longer the contents will remain frozen.

7.

After the repairs have been made do the following:

a.

If the frozen foods have defrosted, remove them from the freezer and check their temperature close to the surface of each item.  If it is warmer than the temperature of a refrigerator > 4ºC discard the products now and check your household insurance policy or any freezer warranty you have, you may be covered.  Take this opportunity to thoroughly clean the surfaces according to the freezer manufacturers instructions.  Allow to dry with the door open and the freezer switched off, prior to restocking the freezer.

b.

If foods have thawed but are still colder than 4º C store them at the bottom of a refrigerator and use them within 24 hours.  Once fully cooked many foods can be frozen to be used within one month.  Foods intended to be consumed frozen (e.g. ice cream) should be discarded.

c.

If foods are still frozen and have not softened, turn the freezer to its maximum setting for 24 hours, before restoring to a setting which maintains a temperature of -18º C.