When it comes to deep frying turkey, you want to take every precaution to keep your family and your home safe. Fried turkeys are delicious, but they come with a slew of safety issues. When we think of fire safety, we don’t usually get an image of a turkey dinner, but according to the U.S Fire Administration (USFA) between 2011 and 2013 more than twice as many residential fires were reported on Thanksgiving Day on average than any other day of the year. Approximately 72 percent of those Thanksgiving Day fires are cooking fires!
Before you set up your turkey fryer this Thanksgiving, remember these safety tips.
Stay Away from The House
Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home and keep children and pets away. Never leave it unattended.
Find Flat Ground
The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.
Use a Thawed and Dry Turkey
Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over. If oil spills from the fryer onto the burner, it can cause a fire.
Monitor the Temp
Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns. Also be sure to keep track of the oil’s temperature as many fryers do not have their own thermostats.
Be Prepared
Have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites.
Respectfully,
Debra Stark
Councilwoman
City of Phoenix
Council District 3
#phxD3
602-262-7441
[email protected]
phoenix.gov/district3
