Exploding Turkey: Top Fire Dangers When Deep-Frying Thanksgiving

Fried turkey can taste great, but a misstep can just easily burn down a house or garage, not to mention seriously burn the cook.

The Prince George’s County Fire Department has a video on its blog created by famed “Star Trek” actor William Shatner and State Farm Insurance, illustrating what can do wrong with fryers.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, frying food is the greatest risk factor of cooking fires. And that peaks on Thanksgiving, when home chefs try to deep-fry a turkey.

The fire department shares these tips for cooking a turkey – outdoors only – in a fryer:

• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Turn off flame when placing turkey into the pot.
• Use turkey fryers outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other combustible materials.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix; water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.
• Always follow manufacturers instructions on the set-up and use of the fryer.
• Inspect the propane tank and all associated tubes and connections to ensure there are no leaks of the flammable gas.
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
• Make sure fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• The National Turkey Federation recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator about 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.