Deep fryers are responsible for about 30 injuries and $15 million in property damage per year, so be sure to exercise caution if Thanksgiving plans necessitate using a fryer.
Those numbers come from the National Fire Protection Association, which said fire departments across the nation responded to about 900 home structure fires per year where a deep fryer was involved. Though nobody died in those fires, they are preventable.
The biggest recommendation from safety experts is to never use the fryers inside. NFPA discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil. Those fryers use substantial quantities of cooking oil at high temperatures. That arrangement poses a significant danger. Rather than using a fryer, NFPA recommends seeking out a grocery store or restaurant that can prepare fried turkeys in a professional setting.
NFPA offers the following tips to people who will use fryers during the holiday season:
- Don’t use the fryer while close to a building.
- Before using the fryer, make sure to remove any nearby combustible materials.
- Ensure the fryer is on a flat surface to avoid spillage.
- Never leave the fryer unattended.
- Don’t let children or pets near the fryer. The oil can remain hot for hours after use.
- Don’t overfill the fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching handles.
- Wear safety goggles to protect eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is fully thawed before placing it in the fryer. When mixed together, oil and water can cause a fire or even an explosion hazard.
- Thaw the turkey for 24 horus for every five pounds in weight.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to put out a grease fire.
- If a fire does occur, call 911 immediately and leave the area.
