As the weather gets warmer, refrigerators are used more often. However, it's important to know that refrigerators only extend the shelf life of food; they are not foolproof "safes." If stored for too long, food will lose its original freshness, flavor, and nutritional value. This is because bacteria and viruses may have been introduced when food was placed inside. The temperature in a refrigerator is not zero degrees Celsius, allowing many pathogens to lurk and multiply rapidly, causing mold, spoilage, and decay. Therefore, the following preventative measures should be taken:
1. Food placed in the refrigerator must be clean and safe. Fruits, vegetables, and other raw foods should be washed and drained before being placed inside. Raw fish and poultry should be gutted and washed thoroughly with clean water before being placed in the refrigerator.
2. After one to two weeks of use, wipe the refrigerator once or twice with a soft cloth dampened with warm water. Do not use laundry detergent, scouring powder, or gasoline to wipe it.
3. Do not store raw and cooked food in the same container. Raw vegetables and fruits should not come into contact with raw meat or fish to prevent bacterial contamination.
4. Leave some space between food items placed in the refrigerator. Do not place them tightly against the left, right, or back walls to allow for cold air circulation. Do not overfill the refrigerator.
5. Minimize the time and frequency of opening the refrigerator door to reduce the entry of outside heat. In my experience, food stored in the refrigerator should generally not be kept for more than five to seven days. Food that shows signs of mold, spoilage, or off-taste should not be eaten.
6. In hot summer weather, cold drinks, frozen beverages, fruits, and foods taken from the refrigerator should be allowed to sit at room temperature for a while before consumption to avoid sudden exposure to cold, which could cause stomach pain, enteritis, diarrhea, or worsen pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, or stroke. This is especially important for the elderly and children.
7. The placement of the refrigerator is also important. Generally, the following two points should be considered: When placing the refrigerator, leave 5-10 cm of space on both sides, 10 cm above, and 10 cm behind to help with heat dissipation. Do not place it near appliances such as stereos, televisions, or microwave ovens, as the heat generated by these appliances will increase the refrigerator's power consumption.
