Why You Should Always Leave an Upturned Glass and a Piece of Paper in the Sink Before Going on Vacation

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This hack originally gained popularity for one clever reason: to detect power outages while you’re gone.

If your home loses power for several hours (due to storms, maintenance, etc.), your freezer may thaw and refreeze — potentially spoiling food without any obvious signs.

Here’s what the paper or coin can reveal:

  • Still on top of the ice? No outage — or just a very brief one.

  • At the bottom of the glass?

    Power was out long enough for the ice to melt completely, and your frozen food may not be safe.

  • Somewhere in the middle? Partial melt — proceed with caution.

This trick helps you avoid food poisoning and know whether to toss or keep your freezer goods.

🚰 The Sink Version: Pest & Leak Detection

When used in the sink, the upturned glass and paper serve a slightly different purpose — to detect water leaks or pests in your absence.

Why It Works:

  • If your sink or faucet develops a slow leak, the water can seep under the upturned glass or disturb the paper.

  • If cockroaches or small insects are using your sink as a water source (common in summer months), the setup can reveal movement or leave signs behind.

  • It’s a low-tech, no-cost security check for plumbing and pest issues while you’re away.

🧠 Why This Trick Is So Smart

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