With Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow, the Prince William Department of Fire and Rescue wants to remind Prince William residents about the dangers of turkey frying.
“Cooking fires is the number one cause of home fires and injuries in the U.S. with Thanksgiving being the peak day for cooking fires. On Thanksgiving Day, more than any other day throughout the year, the average number of home fires more than double, resulting in injuries, deaths and millions of dollars in property damage. One contributor of Thanksgiving fires is turkey frying,” stated a release.
Frying turkeys for Thanksgiving has become popular, and while measures have been taken to improve the safety of turkey fryers, there are still several risks, according to a release.
More on the dangers of turkey frying, from a release:
Hot oil can spill or splash over onto the flame igniting a fire. This can occur during the cooking process especially when placing the turkey in the fryer or when removing it.
Fryers designed for outdoor use with or without a stand are prone to collapse causing a major hot oil spill.
Cooking oil is combustible. If heated beyond its cooking temperature (375°), its vapors can ignite.
Steam can result from hot cooking oil exposed to snow or rain causing a splattering of the hot oil leading to burns.
The use of turkey fryers in close quarters poses a burn hazard/danger to children and others in the home. Oil inside a pot can stay dangerously hot for hours after use.
DO NOT use in, on or under a garage, deck, breezeway, porch, barn or any structure that can catch fire.
Frozen or partially frozen turkeys, when cooked, will cause the hot oil to splatter or produce hot steam leading to burns.
Tips for how to keep your family safe while cooking for the holidays, from a release:
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.
Turn off the stove, if you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time.
If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove, i.e. oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains.
Should a grease fire occur:
NEVER use water to extinguish it!
Get out and stay out! Once you’re safely out of the house, call 911.
