Video Shows Risk of Turkey Fryer Fires

As more and more people enjoy deep fried turkey during the holidays, it's important to keep safety in mind while preparing your masterpiece. Metro Atlanta's Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services recently showed how a turkey deep-fry can turn dangerous. Jason Getz / jgetz@ajc.com

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) wants to encourage all Georgians to have a safe and healthy holiday season. Many of you will sit down at your dinner tables in a few days to enjoy time with family and a delicious Thanksgiving meal. Before doing so, many Georgians will prepare their turkeys by an increasingly popular method—deep frying. With the popularity of turkey frying on the rise, more people than ever are at risk for fryer-related fires and injuries. According to State Farm, Georgia ranks 11th in the United States for grease or cooking fire claims on Thanksgiving Day.

U.S. fire departments respond to more than 1,000 deep-fryer related fires each year. An alarming video from State Farm shows us just how quickly things can go wrong. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), deep-fryers are responsible for more than $15 million in property damage each year. Accidents resulting from turkey fryers do not always end in a fire; they can also cause severe burns and life-threatening injuries. Additionally, accidents related to the deep-frying of turkeys are responsible for five deaths and 60 injuries each year.

“As more and more Georgians enjoy deep-fried turkey during the holidays, it is important to keep safety in mind,” said Lisa Dawson, Director of DPH’s Injury Prevention Program. “Please carefully read the instruction manual and take precautions to ensure that you, your family and your property remain safe to enjoy the holiday.”

Precautions include: placing the deep-fryer outside on a flat surface away from walls, overhangs, and other structures; ensuring that children and pets stay away from the deep-fryer; thawing the turkey completely and drying it before frying; using the proper amount of oil according to your fryer’s manual; and keeping a fire extinguisher ready.

Firefighters from the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services demonstrate how deep-frying a turkey can turn dangerous. Click here: http://projects.accessatlanta.com/gallery/view/atlanta-holiday-guide/deep-fry-turkey-fire/1.html.

The following video demonstrates what can happen when fryer manufacturer’s specifications are not followed. Notice that when the water hits the grease, the fire becomes much worse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQYTMFCLy5E 

-Story by Kimberly A. Stringer, DPH Communications

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