It’s the holiday season and we are only a couple of weeks away from Thanksgiving. There will be a lot of families baking their turkeys to a golden brown and some will fry them to a tender crisp. While deep-fried turkey is amazing, tender and locks in all the flavor, there are many risks and dangers associated with the task.

In an article on a Phoenix Fire Department posted the dangers associated with frying a turkey and tips to make the process as safe as possible:

Here are 5 dangers associated with deep frying a turkey, according to the Avondale Fire Department.

  1. Units can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.
  2. An overfilled cooking pot or partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is inserted.
  3. A small amount of cooking oil coming into contact with the burner can cause a large fire.
  4. Without thermostat controls, deep fryers have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
  5. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot, creating severe burn hazards.

If You Fry a Turkey

  • Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
  • Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space.
  • Do not overfill the fryer.
  • Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
  • Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil can remain hot for hours.
  • Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer.
  • Keep all-purpose fire extinguishers nearby.
  • If a turkey fryer fire occurs, call 911 immediately.

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