8 Fire Safety Tips for Deep-Fried Thanksgiving Turkey

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

Thawing a turkey before frying it can prevent hot oil from coming into contact with water which can easily cause a rapidly spreading fire.

With each Thanksgiving that passes, deep-fried turkeys become increasingly popular in Florida. Deep-frying a turkey can be dangerous, though, and the process causes numerous fires each year. Make safety your priority when deep-frying turkey and follow these eight tips or you may find yourself calling a SERVPRO near you for fire restoration services.

1. Choose a Safe Location

To drastically decrease the likelihood of a fire in your property, set your deep fryer on level ground a safe distance away from your house, garage and shed. Avoid using the fryer on wooden decks, near piles of wood or under trees. A safe bet for a location is the center of your driveway with no cars present.

2. Completely Thaw Your Turkey

Water and oil do not mix. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed before you bring it anywhere near the fryer. Otherwise, when the ice hits the hot oil, it could cause the oil to rapidly boil over, causing a large and quick-spreading fire.

3. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Because of the potential for fire, you will want to have a fire extinguisher within arm’s reach at all times. Fires can start and spread quickly, and you will not have time to run inside to retrieve one.

4. Do Not Overfill the Oil

A good way to know how much oil you will need is to place the turkey in a cold and empty fryer, then fill the fryer with water. Remove the turkey and note the water line. The oil should be filled no higher than that line to ensure that it does not spill over when you add the turkey.

5. Place Turkey in the Oil Slowly

Be careful handling the turkey, which will likely be slippery. If you slip and accidentally drop the turkey in the oil too quickly, the oil could overflow or splash, burning you and creating greater potential for fire. Lower the bird in slowly and gently.

6. Wear Safety Gear

Hot oil has a tendency to splatter, causing burns, blisters and ruined clothing. Make sure you wear goggles, gloves and an apron, and do not stand closer to the fryer than you need to.

7. Use a Thermometer

A thermometer is a great tool to use throughout the entire cooking process. Make sure the oil is hot enough before you begin, but watch that it does not become too hot. Cook the turkey only until it reaches the correct temperature then remove it and turn off the fryer immediately.

8. Never Leave the Fryer Unattended

Under no circumstances should you ever leave the fryer unattended. Bring everything you need outside before you begin cooking and ask someone else to retrieve anything you forgot. Fires can start in an instant and you will need to be there to act quickly.

In Case of a Fire

If you experience a fire this Thanksgiving Holiday, make sure to dial 911 immediately and inform your local fire department. If your property is damaged by the fire, call SERVPRO for the fastest response time and professional fire restoration services. SERVPRO of Winter Park specializes in cleaning smoke and soot left by smoke, extracting and drying water left by firefighters, and can help make sure your property is completely restored to the way it was before your disaster. Our phone lines are open 24/7 for emergency fire and water services at (407)-678-5391.