Thanksgiving Cooking Safety Tips

November 22, 2016

There are more cooking-related fires on Thanksgiving Day than on any other day of the year, according to the State Farm insurance agency. That means that the number of fires on Thanksgiving is more than double than any other day in November.

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that turkey deep fryers account for more than 1,000 home fires during the holiday and these fires produce more than $15 million in property damage. Moreover, fires have the ability to deliver severe burns and injuries. Our Hernando County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton want to help your family enjoy a safe and injury-free holiday, which is why we have compiled the following safety tips:

How to Safely Fry Your Thanksgiving Turkey

• Place the fryer a safe distance from any structures, trees, or wooden components such as a deck or patio. Never use a turkey fryer indoors!
• Fill the fryer to the recommended level and then lower the thawed turkey into the cold oil to ensure that you have enough oil. If you have too much, just remove the excess.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer at all times.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before you place it in the fryer.
• Turn off the fuel source before you lower the thawed turkey into the hot oil.
• Do not marinade the turkey prior to frying it
• Never leave your bird unattended in the fryer.
• Have a fire extinguisher nearby when frying a turkey and never use water to extinguish a grease fire!
• DO NOT add water or ice to the oil to try and cool it down once the turkey is done cooking!

Additional Safety Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Feasts

While not everybody fries a turkey on Thanksgiving, this doesn’t mean that there can’t be other cooking mishaps during the holiday. All holiday chefs should take note of the following:

• Refrain from wearing loose clothing when cooking.
• Keep cooking surfaces clean and free from grease.
• Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen while preparing and cooking food
• Make sure all flammable items, like oven mitts, kitchen towels, and pot holders away from the stove top.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen where it can be easily reached in an emergency.
• Check all of your home’s smoke detectors and ensure that they have fresh batteries and are working properly
• Make sure you turn everything off in the kitchen, like stovetops and ovens, before you sit down to dinner.

If you or someone you love is injured this holiday, our Hernando County Injury Lawyers are here to help. We will be available 24/7 to assist with your potential injury claim – call us at 352-666-2121 or contact us online for a free consultation.