Honolulu, HI – Fire officials across Hawaii are urging residents to take caution this Thanksgiving when deep-frying turkeys, saying the popular cooking trend remains one of the leading causes of holiday home fires across the U.S.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports Thanksgiving Day as the top day for home cooking fires, with more than 2,300 incidents annually. Newsweek data shows that deep-fryer accidents cause five deaths, 60 injuries, and approximately $15 million in property losses every year.
The danger arises when frozen or damp turkeys are placed into oil heated to 350 degrees. The water inside vaporizes instantly, expanding 1,700 times its volume, sending boiling oil over the fryer’s rim and onto open flames or nearby surfaces — often igniting fires in seconds.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends using air fryers, infrared models, or store-bought fried turkeys as safer options. For those who still plan to fry, safety officials urge cooking outdoors on flat concrete, keeping children and pets clear, and ensuring the turkey is fully thawed and dried before frying.
