Prevent Food Poisoning by Keeping Your Refrigerator Safe!

Food poisoning can come from more places than an undercooked hamburger. In fact, many cases of foodborne illnesses start in the kitchen, which is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.

According to WebMD, tainted food is responsible for over 300,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths per year in the United States alone. The good news is that about 25% of these cases can be prevented by practicing better food safety habits, especially pertaining to your refrigerator.

Here is what you can do to make your refrigerator – and thus your kitchen, and your entire home – a safer place:

• Store your raw meat on the bottom shelf. The bottom shelf is one of the coldest areas of the refrigerator, which will help preserve your raw meats for longer. Doing this also prevents the meat from dripping down and contaminating the food beneath it.

• Clean your refrigerator every 2 weeks. Have you ever discovered a scientific experiment lurking in the depths of your refrigerator? That's what happens when you neglect to clean it; make an effort to go through your fridge other week and throw away food which has expired.

• Wipe up all spills immediately. Spills, leaks, and drippings are a leading source of cross-contamination in the kitchen. Keep an eye on your refrigerator shelves and clean up any noticeable spills and stains immediately.

• Shop smarter. Food safety begins at the grocery store. Carefully inspect all meats, produce, and dairy products before you buy them, looking for signs of spoiling or contamination. Be sure to check the dates on all foods, even those in cans and jars.

• Keep your refrigerator below 40° F. The optimal temperature for a refrigerator is between 34-38 degrees. Once the temperature reaches 40, bacteria growth rates begin to spike, causing your food to prematurely spoil.

Is your refrigerator having trouble maintaining a cold, consistent temperature? Don't take a trip to the appliance store just yet, the repair experts at Speedy Subzero may be able to fix it for a fraction of the cost! We serve all of Nassau County, Suffolk County, and New York City, and guarantee one-hour service. Our lines are always open, so give us a call anytime at 866-782-9376.