Turkey Frying Safety

Most turkey fryer fires are preventable. Knowing some of the dangers involved when frying a turkey this Thanksgiving will help reduce risk of fire or potentially fatal burns. Here are some tips to consider.

• More than one-third of fires involving a fryer start in a garage or patio. Cook outdoors at a safe distance from any buildings or trees and keep the fryer off any wooden structures, such as a deck or patio.
    
• Avoid a hot oil spill over by first filling the pot with cold oil and then lower the thawed turkey into the pot to determine how much oil should be either added or removed.
   
• Shut off the fuel source or flame when adding the turkey to the hot oil to prevent a dangerous flare-up if oil does spill over the rim.
    
• Make sure your turkey is properly thawed before lowering it slowly into the pot.
   
• Never leave a hot turkey fryer unattended.
    
• Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire.
    
• Keep an extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fire nearby.
    

To learn more watch William Shatner in "Eat, Fry, Love," a turkey fryer fire cautionary tale!