In just a month it will be Thanksgiving and most of us will be rushing around our brand new kitchens trying to figure out the best way to cook that turkey. It’s a joyous time of year, and one that is meant to be spent in the comforts of your home without a worry in the world! Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. According to insurance statistics, grease and cooking-related claims more than double on Thanksgiving Day. And according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep fryer fires cause an average of 5 deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year! So, help prevent injuries this year, we here at Mihalko’s Fire and Water Restoration will be relaying the basic safety principles for using a turkey fryer.
Turkey Fryer Basic Principles:
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Do Not Overfill Your Pot With Oil – If the cooking pot is overfilled, the oil may spill out of the pot when the turkey is lowered in. Oil can hit the burner and cause a significant fire. Follow the owner’s manual and make sure the oil is at the proper level.
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Do Not Drop a Frozen or Partially Thawed Turkey Into the Oil – Frozen or partially frozen turkey placed into the fryer can cause the oil to spill over the pot and may result in a significant fire or burn injury. Do not use water to thaw your turkey. Make sure your turkey is properly thawed and slowly lower it into the pot to prevent the oil from splashing.
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Do Not Place Your Turkey Fryer Close to Structures or On Decks – Often, fires involving a fryer start in a garage, on a patio, or out on the deck. Cook outdoors and on a level, firm, and non-combustible surface. Maintain a safe distance from any buildings and keep the fryer off of any wooden structures.
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Do Not Use Water or Ice – When ice or water comes into contact with hot oil, the water turns to vapor, causing steam bubbles to pop and spray hot oil. Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire. Keep an extinguisher approved for cooking or grease fires nearby and immediately call 911 for help.
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Do Not Leave Your Fryer Unattended – Frying involves cooking with a combustible cooking oil or grease. Many frying units do not have thermostat controls and if left unwatched, the oil will continue to heat until the oil ignites.
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Do Not Use Your Fryer on an Unlevel Surface – Many fryers are very top-heavy and therefore unstable if not used on a level surface. Fryers that are used on an unlevel surface can tip over causing a significant fire or burn injury.
In the 34 years we have been serving the Johnstown PA, Latrobe PA, and Altoona PA area, we here at Mihalko’s Fire and Water Restoration have seen enough accidents to know it is important to practice safe Thanksgiving cooking. It’s a shame to have put in the time and work to figure out the average cost of a kitchen remodel, get the kitchen estimates and actually spend the money to remodel your kitchen, only to have it tragically destroyed later that year in a fire. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents will happen. And when they do, call someone you can trust to come and clean it up. Call Mihalko’s Fire and Water Restoration for your fire restoration needs.
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