With Thanksgiving approaching, the Raytown Fire Protection
District is urging anyone frying a turkey to take safety precautions so their
celebration doesn’t turn into tragedy.
More
cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, according
to State Farm claims data. In fact, grease and cooking-related claims more than
double on Thanksgiving Day compared to an average day in November. With the
popularity of turkey frying, people are at risk for fryer-related fires and
injuries.
U.S.
fire departments are responding to more than 1,000 fires each year in which a
deep fryer is involved. According to the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA), deep fryer fires result in more than $15 million in property damage
each year and hot oil splatter can cause serious burns to an adult or life
threatening injuries to a child.
Turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high
temperatures and pose a significant danger.
The number one rule to remember is never fry a frozen turkey.
Make sure it’s thawed and dry and that the grease is heated to about
350-degrees.
Even following the proper safety guidelines, grease can splash
all over the place and start a small fire which could get out of control.
That’s why you should wear a long sleeved shirt, pants (not shorts) and eye
protection. Please make sure you have everything you need in case there’s
trouble like the lid to the pot and a ABC class fire extinguisher, not a garden
hose. Another important thing to remember is that oil remains hot for hours
after the unit is turned off.
While we do not encourage turkey frying, we do offer some tips
to make sure you and your family are safe should you decide to attempt this at
home.
- Never use Turkey Fryers on wooden decks or in a garage.
- Make sure the fryer is used on a flat surface to reduce tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer while in use. Even after use, use caution; the oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours.
- Do not overfill the fryer.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, creating a fire or even an explosion hazard.
If you would like
more information about the dangers of turkey fryers, please contact Matt Mace at 816-737-6034 or
email at Mattm@raytownfire.com.
