Fried Turkey for Thanksgiving? Here Are Safety Tips to Help Avoid Injuries When Deep-Frying a Turkey Holidays Cooking Tips

Thanksgiving Day has more than double the number of home-cooking fires than an average day. According to the National Fire Protection Association, deep fryer fires cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries and more than $15 million in property damage each year. Here are some tips to keep your family safe:

• If you plan to use a turkey fryer this holiday, be sure to keep kids and pets away from it.

• Place the fryer in an open area away from walls, fences or other structures.

• Choose a fryer with a sealed lid to prevent spills.

• Don’t drink and cook.

• Keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and be familiar with how to operate it should a fire ignite.

• The biggest mistakes with deep frying turkeys is adding too much oil and not thawing the turkey completely first.

Here are more tips from  The FDNY Foundation:

• Make sure to use the fryer outdoors and use the fryer a safe distance from flammable materials and other buildings.

• Do not use turkey fryers in a garage.

• Never let children near the fryer, even when it’s not in use.

• Never leave the fryer unattended.

• Do not overfill the fryer.

• Use safety goggles to protect your eyes and always use pot holders or barbecue gloves when handling the fryer.

Keep a fire extinguisher near the fryer. Do NOT use water to put out a grease fire.

How do you cook your turkey??

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