Burned Turkeys Can Happen... Home Damage Doesn't Have To Happen!

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Despite hazards, if you still plan on using a turkey fryer, please follow these safety guidelines.

November is a month filled with food, family and football, there is also another attribute that may surprise you.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year in which home fires occur. The NFPA says that "between 2015 and 2019, cooking was the leading cause of reported home structure fires and civilian fire injuries - as well as the second-leading cause of civilian fire deaths. On Thanksgiving Day in 2019 alone, around 1,400 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments, which is a 228 percent increase over the daily average."

 In order to avoid any potential fire damage or injury, browse these simple guidelines to ensure you have a safe holiday season.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking, even a quick step away can lead to an accident.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. 
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot, and kids should stay 3 feet away. 
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. 
• Wear protective gear when using indoor fryers.
• Ensure floor and kitchen area is clear of clutter and kiddos, so you don't accidentally trip.
• Keep a lid and fire extinguisher nearby to smother cooking fires.
• Avoid the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers, especially indoors or in the garage area.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

What about outdoor deep fryers?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) discourages the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers, which can lead to devastating burns, destruction of property, and other injuries. Additionally, Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the organization that certifies safe products, does not certify these types of fryers with its UL label. Both organizations discourage the use of open-flame fryers due to the following:

• Turkey fryers tip easily, spilling their contents, and causing oil to ignite.
• Overfilling the fryer is common. The oil spills out of the pot when the turkey is placed in the fryer, engulfing the whole unit in flames.
• With no thermostat controls, the oil is prone to overheating to the combustion point.
• The handles and lid get extremely hot, which can cause severe burns.
• Since the unit is designed for outdoor use, rain or snow can fall on the unit, splattering the oil and converting the water to scalding steam.

Despite these hazards, if you still plan on using a turkey fryer, please follow these safety guidelines:

• Always use the fryer outdoors on a flat surface, safely away from structures, wooden decks, and covered patios. No matter what, DO NOT be tempted to use the fryer in a garage.
• Have the correct kind of fire extinguisher nearby and ready to use.
• To ensure you are using the right amount of oil, place a thawed turkey in the fry pot and add enough water to cover the bird by ½". Remove the turkey and mark the water level. Dump the water and thoroughly dry the pot and turkey. Fill the pot with oil to the marked level.
• Do not leave the fryer unattended. Monitor the temperature of the oil with a thermometer to prevent the oil from overheating and catching fire. If the oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas off.
• Ensure the turkey is COMPLETELY THAWED to prevent a fire or explosion hazard.
• Raise and lower the turkey slowly to prevent oil splatter, burns, and fire.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer to prevent tipping, even after the turkey is done. The oil is dangerously hot for hours.
• Use your safety tools: Oven mitts, gloves, and safety goggles.
• Stand upwind of the propane tank and fryer so heat blows away from you.

In case you're still wondering, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. The day has three times the average number of reported home structure fires involved with cooking equipment. Please be careful this holiday season.

Contact SERVPRO to assist with damage caused by cooking this holiday season.

SERVPRO of West Riverside City

Phone 951-351-8033