Over the years it has become more and more popular to deep-fry your Thanksgiving turkey.  This may be a delicious and fast way to get your turkey to your Thanksgiving table but it could also spell disaster if you are not careful. 

While we recommend the traditional oven method of turkey preparation for safety's sake if you must fry UL, one of the nations largest testers of everyday items, offers the following safety tips:

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors, located a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. After use, continue to exercise extreme caution as the oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot for hours.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix and water can cause oil to spill over, starting a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.

You can find some pretty spectacular examples of the power of a turkey in a fryer on youtube by searching "Deep fat turkey fryer fire".

Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving from Georgetown Insurance Agency.