Holiday Hazard: Safety Tips For Frying A Thanksgiving Turkey
BROWARD (CBSMiami) -- Thanksgiving is right around the corner and frying a turkey is popular in South Florida but if you don't do it the right way, you could have a big fire emergency.
The Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Department is urging any frying a turkey to take safety precautions so their celebration doesn't turn into tragedy.
Consumer-grade turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures which poses a significant fire threat.
As highlighted in Friday's demonstration, a firefighter placed a turkey into a deep fryer that was not completely thawed out and dry. The second it hit the oil, it ignites into a giant ball of flames.
WATCH TURKEY FRYER SAFETY DEMO
The number one rule is never fry a frozen turkey.
The oil used for cooking should be 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 make sure you have everything you need in case there's trouble, like a fire extinguisher and not a hose.
Another important thing to remember is that oil remains hot for hours after the unit is turned off.
Other helpful safety tips:
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. Water causes oil to spill over, creating a fire or even an explosion hazard.
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.
If you don't want to risk getting hurt or worse, the best advice is to just buy a prepared turkey.