DALLAS — Frying a turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that has gained traction in recent years, but preparing it correctly is vital.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires in the U.S., with nearly three times more fires than the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
“Turkey fryers that use cooking oil are generally unsafe; they use large amounts of oil at high temperatures, which can cause serious burns,” said Jason Evans, spokesman for the Dallas Fire Department. “If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, it is recommended that you purchase one from a store or restaurant or buy a fryer that does not use cooking oil.”
So what are some tips for safely frying a turkey at home?
The Dallas Fire Department has some ways to reduce risk of a fire or burn injuries when it comes to deep-frying a turkey this Thanksgiving:
•Never leave your fryer unattended.
•Place your fryer on a level, non-flammable surface, such as a concrete patio. Deep fryers can be easily tipped over and the open flame combined with cooking oil can easily ignite nearby combustibles.
•Never use a fryer in a garage.
•Do not overfill the fryer. An overfilled pan will cause the oil to spill when the turkey is placed inside, increasing the fire risk.
•Always wear protective cooking gear to include covering your hands up to your elbows and eye protection.
•Ensure your turkey is thawed out before placing it in the deep fryer. Frying a frozen turkey will cause the oil to splatter.
•Turkey fryers overheat easily, so check the temperature with a thermometer to verify it is at the correct temperature.
•Gently place your turkey in the deep fryer – never toss or drop it in.
•Keep children and pets away from your fryer.
•Turn off the burner when finished cooking.
•Always keep a grease-fire-approved extinguisher nearby in case of fire.
U.S. Fire Administration data indicate that each year between 2017 and 2019, there was an average of 2,300 residential fires on Thanksgiving caused by cooking accidents. These fires caused an estimated annual average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries and $26 million in property loss.
The most common cause of these fires was leaving the stove unattended while cooking.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve are the other peak days behind Thanksgiving for cooking fires in any given year.
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