The refrigerator is a wonderful device that helps keep food fresh and safe to eat for longer periods of time. But it's only effective if you let it do its job. Unfortunately, many older people kept their refrigerators too warm, perhaps because they're afraid of high electricity bills. A survey done in England found that about 70 percent of people older than 65 kept their refrigerators too warm. Warm temperatures allow harmful bacteria to form.
Elderly people are most at risk for getting sick from food poisoning.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say your refrigerator needs to be kept at about 40 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees. These temperatures are most likely to keep bacteria from growing rapidly in your food. Also follow other food safety procedures. Throw out any food that's past its expiration date, and toss out leftovers after a few days. If you're not going to eat leftover foods within a couple of days freeze them and use them within a month or so.