KVOA

Posted: Nov 20, 2009 3:37 PM

With the 2009 holiday season almost here, the Corpus Christi Fire Department would like to remind residents about the dangers of using turkey fryers when preparing holiday meals. Tests have shown that the fryers have a high risk of tipping over, overheating or spilling hot oil, all of which can lead to fires, burns and other injuries.

This cooking method, which has become increasingly popular during the past few years, involves placing the turkey in three gallons or more of oil, which is heated by propane. Even though some people believe frying turkeys delivers better taste and cuts down on the cooking time, the units have come under considerable scrutiny. In fact, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., which is an independent product safety-testing organization, has decided not to certify any turkey fryer with the UL mark.

The concerns about turkey fryers include:

? When the turkey is placed in the hot oil, the liquid may spill onto the burner, causing a fire.
? The units can easily tip over, spilling hot oil onto anyone or anything nearby.
? If a partially frozen turkey is placed in the hot oil, a spillover event can occur, which can also result
in a fire.
? Most units do not have automatic thermostat controls, so oil may heat until it catches fire.
? The sides, lids and handles get extremely hot and may cause burns.

Keep in mind that cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and
unattended cooking is the primary cause of these fires.

The Corpus Christi Fire Department offers some tips to help reduce the burn and fire dangers
associated with cooking with turkey fryers:

? Only use turkey fryers outdoors in full view and away from any building or material that could catch
fire.
? Make sure there is at least two feet of space between the liquid propane tank and the fryer burner.
? Keep children and pets well away from the fryer when in use and for several hours after cooking.
? Never place the fryer on wooden decks or under a carport, garage or breezeway.
? Never leave the fryer unattended and be sure to always monitor the temperature closely.
? If any smoke at all comes from the heating pot of oil, turn the burner off immediately - smoke
means the oil is overheated.
? Cover bare skin and use pot holders.
? Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the amount of oil to add, and do not overfill the
fryer.
? Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dried before adding to the oil, since water and ice
crystals can cause the oil to splatter or spill over.

In Case of Fire:

If you do experience a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Never attempt to use water to extinguish a grease fire. While waiting for the fire department to arrive, an all-purpose fire extinguisher can be used if you have one ready and know how to use it.

For more information, please contact the Corpus Christi Fire Department at 826-3900.