Portland, ME – Fire officials across Maine are warning residents ahead of Thanksgiving to think twice before deep-frying their holiday turkeys. The popular cooking method, while fast and flavorful, has caused dozens of injuries, fires and costly home damages in recent years.
According to Newsweek, misuse of turkey fryers accounts for roughly 22% of all fryer fires, with serious accidents leading to an average of 60 injuries and $15,000 in damage each year. The U.S. Fire Administration reports an average of 2,300 residential fires on Thanksgiving Day nationwide, most linked to cooking incidents.
Experts say the danger stems from simple chemistry. When a frozen or partially frozen turkey is submerged in hot oil — often heated to 350 degrees — the ice instantly vaporizes, expanding up to 1,700 times its original volume. The result: explosive bursts of steam that launch burning oil into the air and ignite surrounding surfaces.
The National Fire Protection Association warns consumers to “cook the turkey, not your home,” urging the use of oil-free, electric, or air fryers. For those determined to deep-fry, safety officials recommend fully thawing and drying the bird, keeping fryers outdoors on level ground, and never leaving them unattended.
