• House fires associated with turkey fryers leading to injuries and property damage.
• Ignition of oil used with turkey fryers. This was often related to oil reaching excess temperatures or oil contacting the open flame of the fryer.
• Splashing of hot oil causing burns.

The majority of reported incidents have occurred while the oil was being heated, prior to adding the turkey.  For this reason, it is very important for residents to monitor the termperature of the oil closely.  If any smoke at all is noticed coming from a heating pot of oil, the burner should be turned off immediately because the oil is overheated.  Never leave the fryer unattended while heating the oil or cooking the turkey.

There is also a risk of injury resulting from splashing due to the cooking of partially frozen turkeys.  Thoroughly thaw and dry your turkey before cooking in hot oil.  Several incidents have occurred when partially frozen turkeys, chicken wings, or potatoes were added to hot oil in a turkey fryer.

To help make sure your dinner is a safe one your firefighters recommend you follow the following safety guidelines:

• Keep fryer in FULL VIEW while burner is on.
• Place fryer in an open area AWAY from all walls, fences, or other structures.
• Never use IN, ON, or UNDER a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, deck or any structure that can catch fire.
• Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter and avoid burns.
• COVER bare skin when adding or removing food.
• Check the oil temperature frequently.
• If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the gas supply OFF.
• If a fire occurs, immediately call 911.  DO NOT attempt to extinguish the fire with water.
• Make sure there is at least 2 feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer burner.
• Place the liquid propane gas tank and fryer so that any wind blows the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank.
• Completely thaw (USDA states 24 hours for eavery 4 to 5 pounds) and dry turkey before cooking.  Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil.
• Follow the manufacturer's insturctuions to determine the proper amount of oil to add.
  • If the directions are not available:
    • Place turkey in pot.
    • Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water.
    • Remove and dry the turkey
    • Mark the water level.  Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level.