Annapolis, MD – With Thanksgiving fast approaching, Maryland fire officials are issuing a holiday warning to residents who plan to deep-fry their turkeys this year. The cooking trend, while popular for its crisp texture and fast cook time, remains one of the leading causes of holiday home fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Thanksgiving sees more than 2,300 reported home fires each year, most tied to cooking. Newsweek reports that deep-fryer accidents cause roughly five deaths, 60 injuries, and $15 million in property damage annually.
Experts warn that the danger comes when cooks place frozen or partially thawed turkeys into oil heated to 350 degrees. The water inside the bird turns instantly to steam, expanding 1,700 times in volume, forcing boiling oil out of the fryer and into open flames or flammable materials nearby.
The National Fire Protection Association continues to discourage the use of oil fryers, recommending oil-free, infrared, or air fryer alternatives. Those who choose to deep-fry should do so outdoors, on flat concrete, and keep the fryer away from walls, decks, and overhangs.
