Stay Safe This Thanksgiving!

Thanks to some televised and popular chefs, the concept of cooking turkeys using a specialized oil fryer has increased dramatically during the past decade. A fryer helps to lock in the flavor and keeps a turkey juicy. It also cuts down on the total preparation time by as much as 40%. That's really exciting.

Turkey fryers can also explode, fling burning oil for tens of feet, and can permanently change your life for the worse. That's really unexciting.

There are some key facts that can help you stay safe this thanksgiving:

Item one: don't do it yourself. Purchase a fried turkey from a grocer or a restaurant. Don't risk your safey.

Watch this video that demonstrates what can happen with a turkey fryer:

If you must fry your own turkey, be as smart about it as possible:

• Ensure the turkey fryer is on a level surface, in an open area away from your home, garage, neighbor's home, fences, sheds, and other structures.
• Never place the fryer on a wooden deck or porch.
• Never place the fryer indoors, in a garage or carport.
• Leave at least two (2) feet between the fryer and the propane tank.
• Keep the fryer in full view at all times - do NOT leave the fryer.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer - as in "not even in the same area."
• Check the oil temperature often. If you see smoke coming from the oil, turn off the gas right away.
• Completely thaw and dry the turkey before frying. Putting a partially frozen or wet turkey into the fryer will create the potential for significant splatter, often resulting in a fire or explosion hazard.
• Cover bare skin before adding or removing ANY food from the fryer.
• Raise and lower food slowly into or out of the fryer to avoid splattering or spilling oil.
• Use the right amount of oil. To find out how much oil to use, read the fryer's instructions, or:
  • Place the turkey in the pot.
  • Fill with water until the turkey is covered by ½ inch of water.
  • Remove the turkey and pat dry.
  • Mark the water level in the pot.
  • Dump the water, dry the pot, and fill oil to the level marked.
• If the fryer catches fire, call 911 right away. Do not try to put it out with water.

One of the first things people tend to do if there is a small fire is to look for water. Water will float on top of oil, and in the instance of a turkey fryer fire, will cause the fire to spread.

If you are burned when using a turkey fryer, dial 9-1-1 immediately and have professionals (paramedics) check you out. And, for any burn, check out these tips for burns treatment.