LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer is reminding Michigan citizens to take proper safety precautions when cooking for Thanksgiving Day, the leading day for home cooking fires.
Officials say that anyone using a deep fryer to cook a turkey should be aware of all safety risks involved.
“Deep frying a turkey – in several gallons of hot oil over 350 degrees – is as flammable as gasoline, if the cooking oil vapors ignite,” Sehlmeyer said in a statement. “Never use a portable deep fryer in a garage, near a deck, breezeway, porch or inside any structure; improperly deep-frying turkeys result in a high number of house and garage fires every year.”
The Fire Marshal’s office is providing this video from the National Fire Protection Association to demonstrate how these deep fryers can be dangerous.
The following safety tips are being offered when using a deep fryer. Sehlmeyer says oil-less electric or infrared models are safer ways of cooking turkeys, provided safety precautions are carefully followed:
- Use a portable deep fryer with a gas valve controller; read and follow the manufacturer’s user guide.
- Always use the portable deep fryer on a flat surface, far away from houses, garages, decks, trees, bushes and other flammable material.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and dried prior to putting it in the fryer.
- Never leave the portable deep fryer unattended; keep children and pets away.
- Keep the liquid propane tank at least two feet away from the portable deep fryer burner.
- Only use cooking oil recommended by the deep fryer manufacturer.
- Do not overfill the portable deep fryer with cooking oil – it may result in the overflow of the cooking oil and a flash fire when immersing the turkey.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts as the deep fryer lid and handle can become very hot; wear safety goggles to protect eyes from cooking oil splatter.
- If the cooking oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the propane tank to “OFF” by closing the propane tank valve.
- Keep a fire extinguisher (dry powder) ready at all times; never use water to extinguish a cooking oil or grease fire.
Officials are also reminding citizens about the risks of indoor cooking, as well. The U.S. Fire Administration says that the average number of reported residential fires more than doubles on Thanksgiving Day compared to any other day of the year.
Two-thirds (67 percent) of home cooking fires start when food or cooking materials catch on fire, while more than half (55 percent) of home cooking fire injuries happened when people tried to fight the fire themselves.
“Always keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it,” Sehlmeyer said. “If you don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher, do not try to fight a fire yourself; immediately call 9-1-1 in such emergencies and quickly evacuate the home.”
Below is a list of tips to consider when cooking indoors:
- Start with a clean stove and oven; remove food and grease buildup from burners, stovetop, and oven.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent pot tipping by young children.
- Wear short sleeves or roll sleeves up; check food regularly while it’s simmering, baking, boiling or roasting.
- Set timers to keep track of turkeys and other foods that require extended cooking times.
- Turn off the stove if you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time.
- Keep children away from cooking areas; do not hold children while cooking.
- Keep kitchen clutter – potholders, towels, food wrappers, etc. – well away from the burners.
- Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby; always use an oven mitt.
- If an oven fire occurs, turn off the oven and keep the door closed.
Finally, Michigan citizens are reminded to check on their smoke alarms to ensure full functionality.
More information and safety tips can be found online at www.michigan.gov/miprevention.
The tips from the Fire Marshal come as the NFPA is releasing their own Thanksgiving safety tips.
