Frying a turkey this Thanksgiving? Here are some tips to stay safe

By Imelda García, The Dallas Morning News (TNS)
DALLAS — Frying a turkey on Thanksgiving is a tradition that has gained traction in recent years, but preparing it correctly is vital.
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires in the U.S., with nearly three times more fires than the daily average, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
“Turkey fryers that use cooking oil are generally unsafe; they use large amounts of oil at high temperatures, which can cause serious burns,” said Jason Evans, spokesman for the Dallas Fire Department. “If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, it is recommended that you purchase one from a store or restaurant or buy a fryer that does not use cooking oil.”
So what are some tips for safely frying a turkey at home?
The Dallas Fire Department has some ways to reduce risk of a fire or burn injuries when it comes to deep-frying a turkey this Thanksgiving:
U.S. Fire Administration data indicate that each year between 2017 and 2019, there was an average of 2,300 residential fires on Thanksgiving caused by cooking accidents. These fires caused an estimated annual average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries and $26 million in property loss.
The most common cause of these fires was leaving the stove unattended while cooking.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve are the other peak days behind Thanksgiving for cooking fires in any given year.
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