When it comes to your kitchen appliances, none of them work harder than your refrigerator. It's working for you around the clock. The last thing you need is for it to break down, especially during the holidays. One common problem that can really cause problems involves the temperature inside the refrigerator. If your refrigerator is not cold enough, your food will spoil. Here are four steps you can take to make sure that you don't have a problem with a warm refrigerator.

Don't Pack Your Refrigerator too Full

Refrigerators need some space to keep your food cold. If your refrigerator is packed too full, your food won't stay cold. That's because there's not enough room for the cold air to circulate. If your refrigerator seems to be getting too warm, take a look inside. If your refrigerator is overstocked, try moving things around to create some additional space.

Make Sure the Door is Closed

If your refrigerator seems to be on the warm side, watch the way you close the door. There's a magnetic strip around the inside of the door that helps keep it closed tightly. However, if the door is closed too quickly, or with too much force, it may not seal properly. To make sure your door is closed securely each time, give it a little added help.

Once the door is closed, press on it a bit to make sure it's closed properly. If the door isn't staying closed, clean the seal. The seal around your refrigerator door should be cleaned at least once a month. It's also important to inspect the seal for damage. If the seal around your has cracks in it, you should have it replaced.

Maintain the Right Temperature

Your refrigerator has a thermostat inside that is designed to maintain a constant temperature. Unfortunately, if the thermostat is set to the wrong setting, your refrigerator won't stay as cold as it should be. If your food isn't staying cold, or your refrigerator feels warm, check the thermostat. Thermostats in newer refrigerators are color-coded for optimum settings. If your thermostat isn't on the right setting, make an adjustment.

Schedule a Service Call

If your refrigerator refuses to maintain the right temperature, even after you take the steps described above, it's time to schedule a service call. You and your family may be at risk for food-borne illnesses, especially if your food is spoiling from being stored at the wrong temperature. Contact a Frigidaire appliance service for more help.