Deep Frying Turkey Safety

The Brighton Area Fire Authority is encouraging anyone with questions about turkey fryers or cooking safety in general to contact them and have a safe Thanksgiving.

If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department by dialing 911.

Safety should be paramount anytime open flames and hot oil are in close proximity, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire spokesman.

More kitchen fires happen on Thanksgiving than any other day, and a good portion of those can be blamed on turkey frying accidents. To test how much oil you need you can put your turkey in the pot and fill it with water.

Fire prevention specialist Keith Guillory says a turkey-frying-mishap could cost you more than your pride.

Keep a fire extinguisher nearby or located in the kitchen for easy access.

Aside from kitchen fires, Gregory said it’s also important to be knowledgeable about kitchen burns.

Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use.

According to Fire Research Data, Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occurred most frequently from noon to 3 p.m., when many people are likely preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

Make sure the fryer is stable. “There are thousands of dedicated men and women across the state who are willing to leave their own Thanksgiving celebrations and come help keep you and your family safe”. People often make mistakes such as forgetting to buy something and leaving their turkey to cook unattended, or leaving their turkey to cook unattended at night while they sleep. Don’t overfill the fryer – that will cause a splash-back when immersing the turkey.

“With all the disasters – tsunamis and hurricanes – a fire is one of those disasters that is virtually always preventable”, she said. And make sure juices don’t spill onto the heating element. Most units do not have thermostat controls. “We know that oil and water don’t mix too well”, says O’Leary.

· When filling the pot with oil, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and never over-fill the turkey fryer.