Each year, nearly 4,300 fires in the United States occur on Thanksgiving Day, causing 15 fatalities, about 50 injuries and nearly $27 million in property damage. Of these fires, 1,450 are in residential structures, claiming 15 lives, injuring 41 and causing an estimated $21 million in damage. Cooking serves as the leading cause of residential structure fires during Thanksgiving, and leaving food unattended is the leading factor in igniting these fires.
If you are among the many that will be deep frying a turkey, you should be aware of the hazards involved. These include:
- Units can easily tip over and spill the hot oil from the cooking pot.
- If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed inside. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
- Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can also cause a spillover effect which may result in an extensive fire.
- Most fryers do not have thermostat controls. Without them, the units have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
When frying turkeys, please remember these safety tips:
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
- Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck. Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
- To prevent oil from overheating and catching fire, watch the fryer carefully and never leave it unattended.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer, even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles.
- If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed, and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water can cause oil to spill over, leading to a fire hazard or even to an explosion hazard. The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, call 911 immediately.
Those with any safety questions may call
the City of Hartsville Fire Department at 383-3000.
