The Raleigh Fire Department (RFD) is advising residents to exercise caution when frying turkeys this Thanksgiving. To highlight the potential dangers, RFD will conduct a live fire demonstration for the media on November 22, illustrating the risks of frying an improperly thawed turkey.
“Turkey frying can be dangerous because oil fires happen quickly,” stated Lt. Lemuel Hubbard of RFD. He emphasized the importance of planning for fire safety during the holiday season.
Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that Thanksgiving Day sees a significant increase in cooking-related fires, with approximately 1,000 home fires occurring annually on that day.
In light of these concerns, RFD has provided several safety tips for those who plan to fry turkeys:
– Use extreme caution when handling hot oil as it can spill or splash onto flames and ignite.
– Avoid overheating oil beyond its cooking temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent ignition.
– Operate turkey fryers outdoors and away from any structures such as garages, decks, or porches that could catch fire.
– Ensure that turkeys are completely thawed before placing them in a fryer to avoid splattering hot oil or steam burns.
– Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
The scheduled turkey frying demonstration by RFD will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 22, at the Keeter Training Center.
