Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Carrie Frederickson
  • 48th Civil Engineer Squadron
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Fall is here and Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching. Thanksgiving is time for families and friends to enjoy and celebrate. A favorite dish is delicious deep-fried turkey. While some people rave about deep-fired turkey, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s safety experts are concerned backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste. Fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot oil. If overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames causing a fire that can engulf the entire unit. Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can also cause oil spillage.

If a fryer has no thermostat controls, there is the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion. Besides the oil itself, the sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

Here are some easy tips that may protect you and your family from injury or loss of property:

- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors at least 15 feet away from buildings or any other material that can burn. Do not use turkey fryers on decks or in garages.

- Place the fryer on a flat surface to avoid accidental tipping. Do not overfill or leave the fryer unattended. Fryers without thermostat controls could continue to heat until it catches fire.

- Do not allow children or pets near the fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, even hours after use. Use insulated potholders or oven mitts when handling the pot or lid handles.

- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter. Only place completely thawed turkeys into the pot--be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix. Water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.

- Don't use a fryer if you're intoxicated.

- Ensure an all-purpose fire extinguisher is nearby. Do not use water to extinguish grease fires. Use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire, only fight fires if you have a safe escape route.

Immediately report an emergency by dialing 527 911 for RAF Lakenheath/Feltwell housing (01638 527 911 mobile/cell phone) or 999 for off base. All fires must be reported even if you were successful in extinguishing the fire.