Storing meats in separate containers prevents cross-contamination when the containers are properly sealed.

Further, it’s a good rule of thumb to use fresh meat and fish within two days. And keep an eye out for smells associated with aging or an off appearance to the meat or fish itself to decrease the chance of getting sick.

Expired Foods

It’s easy to forget that foods expire, particularly when it's difficult to tell if food has gone bad, but this can be harmful to our health. Throwing out expired foods should be a priority. Make it a point to go through your refrigerator once a week to see what has expired.

Try to pick the same day each week to get in the habit. A great day to go through your fridge is the same night you take out your garbage. This keeps garbage stench to a minimum. And remember -- when in doubt, throw it out.

Further, experts say it’s important to know the difference between “use by” and “expiration” when it comes to making these determinations. According to eatright.org, "’use by or best if used by…is not a safety-related date. It's the last date recommended for use of the product at optimal quality. Expiration date means don't consume the product after this date.”

Dirty Shelves

We’re quick to clean kitchen counters and floors. But we often forget about the shelves in the refrigerator. Overlooking this area can cause illness.