Fryer Fires Could Ruin Your Thanksgiving
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) - Thanksgiving is right around the corner and some home chefs may be considering doing something a little different this year and deep frying their turkey.
Broward Sheriff and Miami-Dade firefighters have just one word for this type of cooking of the bird - don't.
While propane turkey fryers are readily available and inexpensive, they can be unsafe, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). They point out that those types of fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures and pose a significant danger. Additionally, the oil remains hot for hours after the unit is turned off.
For those who insist on going deep fried for the holiday, the number one rule 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 some kind of safety gear and make sure you have everything you need in case there's trouble like a fire extinguisher and not a hose.
Other tips to make sure you and your family are safe:
- 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.
- Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, creating a fire or even an explosion hazard.
The NFPA said a safer alternative would be oil-less outdoor units.
Thanksgiving is the top day for cooking fires to happen.
An estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the U. S., according to the U. S. Fire Administration. The leading cause of these Thanksgiving Day fires, which mostly occur between noon and 4 p.m., is cooking.
