If you shut the power to the tank down... the tank should not in any realistic condition get to an internal water temp of 77F.
When you turn it back on... a setting of 140F, and letting the taps run a bit should remove any concerns... as the water will not truly be stored - just not heated by the electric elements.
The mixing valve should easily allow the 140F to be lowered to were you feel comfortable... and can be further adjusted by the faucet.
At that time, heat lost by the tank to the surrounding air would just be space heating where the tank was located.
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