diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 1ab4baac4..993f25f3e 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ updates:
     directory: "/"
     schedule:
       interval: "weekly"
+    cooldown:
+      default-days: 7
     labels:
       - "dependencies"
       - "javascript"
diff --git a/.npmrc b/.npmrc
index 4fd021952..d13caea8e 100644
--- a/.npmrc
+++ b/.npmrc
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
-engine-strict=true
\ No newline at end of file
+engine-strict=true
+min-release-age=7
diff --git a/packages/modules/oraclefree/src/oraclefree-container.test.ts b/packages/modules/oraclefree/src/oraclefree-container.test.ts
index 706d6d05c..651557e7a 100644
--- a/packages/modules/oraclefree/src/oraclefree-container.test.ts
+++ b/packages/modules/oraclefree/src/oraclefree-container.test.ts
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ describe.sequential("OracleFreeContainer", { timeout: 240_000 }, () => {
     // start one container for all tests in this block to save on resources
     beforeAll(async () => {
       container = await new OracleDbContainer(IMAGE).start();
-    }, 120_000);
+    }, 240_000);
 
     afterAll(async () => {
-      await container.stop();
+      await container?.stop();
     });
 
     it("should connect and return a query result", async () => {