Fire Chief Chris Kaufmann
Turkey Deep Frying Dangers
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the United States Fire Administration (USFA)
- Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires
- Fire Departments in the U.S. respond to more than 1,000 fires each year involving deep-fryer, resulting in more than $15 million in property damage
- An overfilled pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in and even a small amount contacting the hot burner will cause a large fire
- A partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot
- Cooking without a thermometer can result in the oil be heating to dangerous levels, which can become combustible above 350 degrees and its vapors can ignite
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles can get dangerously hot
- Never deep fry a turkey indoors or under a low porch ceiling and never leave it unattended
- Maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet from the outside of a home or any outdoor structure
- Place the burner on a stable non-combustible surface to prevent the pot from tipping over or catching the floor on fire
For more information about St. Tammany Fire Protection District #1 visit us at www.slidellfire.org or follow us on Facebook – St. Tammany Fire District #1 and Twitter – @SlidellFire_PIO
Chad Duffaut
Chief of Fire Prevention/PIO
Cell: (985) 960-0976