Happy Thanksgiving, King George! While Thanksgiving is a time for relaxing and spending time with loved ones, the holiday can become dangerous in an instant. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving Day is the number one day of the year for home cooking fires.
Although accidental kitchen fires remain common during the Thanksgiving holiday, turkey fryers are one of the most frequent causes of holiday-related fires. Below are important tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe:
TURKEY FRYERS
Deep-fried turkey is a holiday favorite. However, deep-frying presents significant risks, especially for those new to the technique.
Here are some of the reasons turkey fryers can be hazardous:
- Many units can easily tip over, spilling hot oil.
- Overfilling the pot with oil can cause overflow when the turkey is lowered in, potentially igniting nearby flames and engulfing the unit.
- Placing a partially frozen turkey in hot oil can cause dangerous spillovers and fires.
- Without thermostat controls, oil can overheat and combust.
- Pot sides, lids, and handles become extremely hot and can cause severe burns.
If you choose to use a turkey fryer, please follow these safety precautions:
- Always use turkey fryers outdoors, well away from buildings and anything that can burn.
- Never use fryers on wooden decks or inside garages.
- Place fryers on a flat, stable surface—preferably concrete—to reduce the risk of tipping.
- Never leave a fryer unattended. Without thermostat controls, oil can rapidly overheat and ignite.
- Keep children and pets away from the fryer; the oil remains dangerously hot for hours.
- Do not overfill the fryer with oil.
- Use well-insulated oven mitts or potholders when handling the pot or lid and consider wearing safety goggles to protect from splatter.
- Ensure the turkey is completely thawed and be cautious with marinades—oil and water do not mix and can cause fires or explosions. The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing turkeys in the refrigerator for approximately 24 hours for every five pounds.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
In an emergency, call 911.
GENERAL COOKING SAFETY
Please practice safe cooking habits throughout the holiday:
- Never leave cooking unattended and keep children and pets out of the kitchen.
- Keep oven mitts, towels, and other flammable items away from open flames.
- Have pan lids readily available to smother grease fires.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
- If a fire occurs, call the fire department first— even if you attempt to extinguish it yourself.
- Ensure all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
Stay safe this Thanksgiving, King George!