LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
It's Thanksgiving. You volunteered to host the entire family at your house this year and have been bragging about your famous fried turkey. To prepare, you pull your huge turkey out of the refrigerator and give it a squeeze to make sure it is mostly defrosted. You walk outside to the back deck, fill up the turkey fryer with oil, turn on the propane burner and drop that turkey in when the oil is nice and hot.
Before you know it, some oil splashes out of the fryer, contacts the heating flames below which catches the device and surrounding area on fire. This melts the hose feeding propane to it, which causes raw propane to be fed directly into the fire. Now you have a full-fledged fire which is growing rapidly.
Unfortunately, this preventable situation happens in an estimated 1,800 homes on Thanksgiving Day annually, according to the National Fire Administration.
The first problem is that the turkey was not completely thawed. Partially thawed or wet turkeys and hot oil do not mix--this can lead to an explosion of hot oil that will easily ignite. When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird.
The next major problem is that the turkey fryer should not be used on wooden decks, in garages or anywhere near combustible materials, as this creates a major fire hazard. Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, at least ten feet from buildings and any materials that can burn. Ensure the surface is flat and level to prevent tipping of the fryer, as fryer bases are often unstable. Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts to touch the pot or lid handles, because these will be just as hot as the oil, and wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
Make sure you know how much oil needs to be added. Here's a tip: before filling the fryer with oil, place the turkey inside and add water until it just covers the turkey. Remove the turkey and measure the water with a ruler. Remove the water, dry the fryer, and fill with oil according to the amount based upon the ruler measurement. This will prevent most fires caused by spill over, but just in case, always keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.
Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose (ABC rated) fire extinguisher and immediately call 9-1-1 for help. Your turkey fryer should never be left unattended. If not watched carefully, the oil's temperature can escalate, resulting in a fire. Lastly, even four to five hours after use, the oil can still be hot. Do not allow anyone around the hot turkey fryer for several hours after the oil has completely cooled.
Editor's note: Watch out for the next fire safety article from the Langley Fire Prevention office just in time for the Holidays! Feel free to contact your Langley Fire Prevention Office at 764-4275 to setup fire station tours, schedule site visits of your work areas, to learn more about cooking safety, or just for general questions regarding fire safety and prevention.