“The items in your freezer are quite dangerous — you should remove them immediately!” the repairman warned, sending chills down my spine.

A small refrigerator issue gave me quite a scare. Not long ago, my fridge’s door gasket broke, causing the freezer to constantly leak water. When I called a repairman to fix it, he not only replaced the gasket but also left me with a warning I’ll never forget: “There are a few dangerous things in your freezer — it’s best to take them out right away!”

It might sound unbelievable, but according to the repairman, many people unknowingly put inappropriate items in the freezer, which can damage the fridge or even cause explosions and injuries. Here are four things you should never keep in your freezer — check your fridge today to make sure you’re not making the same mistake.

---

1. Glass containers and bottles

Many people like to chop garlic, onions, or herbs in advance, store them in glass jars, and freeze them for convenience. However, this is an extremely dangerous habit.

At low temperatures, glass becomes brittle and prone to cracking. If the container holds liquids (such as soup, broth, or water), they expand when frozen, which can cause the glass to explode.

Broken glass can cut your hands when you reach in and even scratch the freezer’s cooling coils or aluminum lining, causing long-term damage. Therefore, never put glass items in the freezer — instead, use freezer-safe plastic containers.

---

2. Dry ice

When buying seafood or ice cream, you might receive some dry ice for preservation and, out of habit, toss it into the freezer. That’s essentially putting a time bomb inside your fridge.

Dry ice is actually solid carbon dioxide (CO₂), which sublimates (turns into gas) at -78.5°C. Since most freezers only cool down to around -18°C, dry ice will sublimate rapidly, releasing large amounts of CO₂ gas.

If the freezer is closed, this gas can build up inside the confined space, increasing internal pressure and potentially causing the door to burst or the cooling system to fail.

---

3. Carbonated drinks, beer, and bottled beverages

To chill them faster, many people put bottles or cans of beer, soda, or sparkling water in the freezer. But this is a serious safety risk.

Carbonated drinks contain dissolved CO₂. As they freeze, the liquid expands, and the internal pressure rises sharply. The result: the bottle can explode inside the freezer.

Many people have been injured when opening the freezer door — bottles can burst suddenly, with glass shards flying into their hands or face. Apart from personal injury, these explosions can also break plastic trays or tear the door gasket.

---

4. Wet or damp food

The habit of “washing food and putting it straight into the freezer” may seem harmless, but it actually damages your appliance over time.

Vegetables, meat, fish, or fruit with excess moisture will freeze quickly on the surface and stick to the freezer wall or tray. When you try to pull them out, you might crack the shelves, tear the insulation, or damage the cooling system.

Moreover, the ice buildup obstructs cold air circulation, forcing the fridge to work harder, consume more electricity, and shorten its lifespan.

---

Expert advice from the repairman

These four items may seem trivial, but they are actually “silent killers” of your refrigerator. If your freezer contains any of them, remove them immediately.

Before placing anything in the freezer, make sure that:

– Food is stored in freezer-safe plastic containers or zip-lock bags.
– Items are completely dry and do not contain compressed gases or volatile substances.
– The freezer is not overfilled, allowing air to circulate freely.