Exploding Turkey: Tips to Avoid Thanksgiving Fires

BALTIMORE, MD — Thanksgiving is all about sharing a feast with those you love, which unfortunately means it's the day with the most home-cooking fires, Maryland safety officials say.

An average of 1,400 cooking fires happen on Thanksgiving Day each year. This is more than three times the average number of cooking fires each day throughout the rest of the year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

So, before you head to the kitchen with a horde of friends or relatives to help cook — or before you start up the turkey fryer on the deck, which is a HUGE fire hazard — review these safety tips.

The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for safe Thanksgiving cooking:

• Make sure your smoke alarms are working properly by testing them. Additionally, ensure your guests are aware of all available exits if a fire were to occur and have them meet at a designated location outside.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so that you can keep an eye on the food.
• Establish a 3-foot child- and pet-free zone around any area where hot foods or drinks are prepared. Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Just in case, ensure you turn handles inward on the stove and countertop to avoid spills.
• Keep a lid nearby when you are cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan, turn off the burner and then leave the pan covered until it has cooled.
• Keep anything combustible — like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, and towels — away from the stovetop.
• Eliminate clutter in the kitchen. A clean work area allows for better efficiency and fewer chances for mishaps.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children’s hands.
• Do not leave lit candles unattended or in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.

The Fire Marshal's Office also provided these turkey fryer safety tips:

• Many turkey fryer appliances can be easily tipped over, allowing for hot oil spillage. Ensure you place them on a hard, level and non-combustible outdoor surface.
• Do not place a turkey fryer under an overhang or temporary roof. A flare-up can easily ignite materials above the appliance.
• Partially frozen turkeys can cause a spill over and result in a flare-up. Thoroughly thaw the turkey before cooking.
• Turn off the burner before placing the turkey in the container. Re-ignite the burner after you are sure it is safe to do so.
• Continuously monitor the temperature of the oil. It can easily reach temperatures to the point of combustion.
• Be careful not to overfill the fryer. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for proper filling levels.
• The handles and lid will get dangerously hot. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts.
• Never leave the fryer unattended while cooking. Keep an all-purpose (ABC) fire extinguisher on hand. Do not use water in an attempt to extinguish a grease fire.

»Video of turkey fryer fire from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; still image captured from YouTube video