With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, many of you will be enjoying deep-fried turkey. Fried turkey, a southern delicacy made famous by celebrity chefs such as Emeril Lagasse and Paula Deen, is an increasingly popular way to enjoy this Thanksgiving treat because of the quickness in preparing it over other methods and it's juicy taste.
When preparing fried turkey, a deep fryer containing oil over an open flame is used which can be extremely hazardous and easily result in a fire. According to the NFPA Fire Analysis and Research, cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and injuries.
If you are not willing to sacrifice the delicious taste and still choose to deep fry your Thanksgiving turkey this year, follow these important safety tips to enjoy your holiday safely...
- Never use a propane burner indoors, on a wooden deck, in a garage, or under a tree.
- Place the propane tank as far away as possible from the fryer.
- Never leave the fryer unattended.
- Smaller turkeys, under 15 pounds, work best for frying.
- Be sure that your turkey is fully thawed.
- Do not overfill the fryer with oil causing a spillage. Take into account that the level of oil will rise when the turkey has been added.
- Keep small children away from the fryer during and after cooking.
- Keep a fire extinguisher available at all times.
- Monitor the oil temperature to ensure that it does not exceed 350 degrees.
- Use oven mitts and wear a long sleeve shirt.
- Lower and remove the turkey carefully to avoid splashing.
